Jere Suontausta: Hope
A microscopic examination of a strugglingly glowing filament.
Hope is a practical light and video installation based on a minuscule incandescent light bulb, a microscope, and a camera feed.
In the artwork light wheezes, crackles, and struggles for its existence. It's varying, possibly near-death status is being monitored as a magnification via a microscope camera, and the video feed is streamed on screen real time in an X-ray -reminiscent lo-fi aesthetic manner.
The name of the artwork suggests that sometimes finding a glimpse of hope will require a very precise and focused vision. The situation set up in the artwork proceeds to make up for an elaborate question about the vision(s) and their limits in the context of humanity: a microscope is focused into the very core of artificial light, both elements being normally used as instruments to enable us to surpass the limits of our vision – but to what extent?
Master of Arts (Theatre and Drama), b. 1994, Lives in Helsinki
Information
Artwork finished in:
2022
Light sources, materials, and equipment:
Small incandescent light bulb, microscope, camera feed.
Dimensions of the work, approximately (width-height-depth):
Size variable: the camera feed can be put either on a screen or projected.
Electricity consumption:
Standard mains current (10A/16A).
Does the artwork use sound?
No sound.
Support and other structures:
The work needs support structures, hanging points, or similar.
Structures, hardware, or other equipment needed from the client:
An exhibition stand/sculpture stand for the microscope, screen/projector to be negotiated.
Minimum height of the space:
2 m
Minimum square meters of the space:
---
Requirements for the space: darkness, temperature, colouring (light / dark / specific colour / other) etc.:
No bright lights towards the microscope.
Building time and people required (estimate):
2-3 hours, one person (artist or one person guided by artist).
Artist's presence:
Guidance can be provided for building.
Seen before at:
Don't Hold Your Breath:, Sipoo, 2022 & Hillitön valo - Boisterous Light, Hyvinkää, 2023
