Brigitte Kowanz
Lichtwechsel

2002
Existing artwork from the Zumtobel Collection

Brigitte Kowanz (1957 - 2022) was an important Austrian light artist. Known for her sculptures and installations with neon tubes, LED lamps, mirrors and text, the artist became famous for her exploration of the relationship between space and light, real and virtual. By combining light, space and words, she created a new relationship between the inside and the outside.

The installation consists of 15 square light surfaces in different colours. The LED tiles alternate irregularly between "on" and "off". They are programmed to display a Morse code. The displayed term is also the title of the work "Lichtwechsel". The installation thematises light as a carrier of information and as a medium for information systems.

2002
Existing artwork from the Zumtobel Collection

The installation consists of fluorescent lamps in acrylic glass sleeves, which are mounted in series on stainless steel. Round and oblong openings can be seen on the front, representing the short and long pulses of the Morse code. They visualise the titular text. The stark contrast of black and brightly lit lines blends with the metallic reflections to create three-dimensional shapes.