LED Light Art by Leo Villareal
“Big Bang” by Leo Villareal, 2008
(light emitting diodes, circuitry, microcontrollers and anodized aluminum)
New York artist Leo Villareal prefers to make art on his lap-top computer, which he programs to orchestrate complex and dazzling LED light art. Villareal works with a RGB palette (red, green, blue) that offers 16 million different color possibilities — Villareal also enjoys manipulating fluorescent lighting tubes. Some of his work, namely Field, 2007, recalls the work of Danish artist Olafur Eliasson, particularly Eliasson’s Color Room, 2007 — perhaps even Jenny Holzer. Some art critics even say Villareal’s work evokes Monet and Rothko.
What’s really neat is that Villareal doesn’t limit his exhibitions to the white walls of galleries and museums — he also creates art that embraces public architecture — such as his 2008 strobing piece, Multiverse, which clings to the walls and ceiling of the underground walkway that connects the East and West Buildings of the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. (see photos). Villareal was asked to create a simulation for illuminating to the 112 story Lotte Super Tower, in Soul, South Korea, with LED node lights (see 3rd video).
Video | Diamond Matrix
VIDEO | Diamond Sea
Diamond Sea is a 10 foot tall by 15 foot wide light sculpture that uses 2400 white led nodes. It was sequenced using Leo Villareal’s custom software. This sculpture was created in 2007.
VIDEO | Flag
VIDEO | Lotte Supertower
MORE:
Leo Villareal Official Website
“Art in Review”, New York Times, March 23, 2007
“Villareal’s Trippy Light Fantastic”, Washington Post, Dec 6, 2002