Breathing, not blinking - art at the intersection of the mechanical and natural

Surrounded by mesmerising light based works and installations, Grace Boyle delves into the relationship between the rigid and binary nature of components that power the works and the circular motifs of natural phenomena which occur throughout the exhibition - circadian rhythms, orbital paths and the passing of time. The notions of oscillation, harmony and repetition appear both in the complex natural phenomena which inspire the pieces and within the code and components from which they are constructed. This duality reflects our innate yearning to reconnect with nature, to find solace and inspiration in its rhythms and cycles. There is as much darkness as there is light within the exhibition. While the digital world bombards us with busy screens and frantic stimuli, these nuanced and elegant works evoke calmer natural elements of light, water, air, space, time, movement and perception. ‘Light in Motion’ showcases works by artists, designers and engineers who employ contemporary materials, processes and cutting edge technologies to realise innovative light based works. ‘Light in Motion,’ is hosted by Acrylicize and features works by Duncan Carter, Kai Lab, Heyl & Van Dam, Maria Vera, Relative Distance, Sophie Mei Birkin, Star Holden, Will Laslett and Will Muir Llia. Grace Boyle is Director of The Feelies, the award-winning sensory storytelling studio focusing on intelligence across physical and digital realms. She is a widely respected thinker in the sensory and immersive design field. Collaborative and interdisciplinary, Grace’s projects have spanned staying in an Indigenous village to gather the sensory surrounds of the Amazon, and conducting olfactory dream workshops in a Medieval castle, aided by AI. She holds masters degrees in chemistry and architectural robotics, and is a visiting lecturer on the Fashion MA at the RCA. Duncan Carter develops objects that embody technologies and natural physical phenomena in fixed forms. His work has a focus on the intersection of algorithmic design and contemporary craft. With degrees in engineering, computer science and design from the University of Birmingham, Imperial College London and Royal College of Art, Duncan has worked installations and public sculpture, patented inventions, academic papers and mass-produced products, his work has been shown at exhibitions, design fairs, the Science Museum and the V&A. Maria Vera is a Dutch artist and engineer seeking to capture the beauty of life through art and technology. She works with kinetic objects, optical illusion and light to create ephemeral artworks. Maria has developed and produced sophisticated light and kinetic installations all over the world. Through her studio Dreams Work, she has worked with DRIFT, Field, Marshmallow Laser Feast and Rafael Lozano-Hemmer. Maria has a Masters Degree in Architectural Engineering at the Delft University Of Technology. Dev Joshi is an award winning designer and technologist and co-founder of design studio Relative Distance which explores relationships of scale. Previously he has worked as Technical Director of Collective Act (2022) to realise ‘Dreamachine’ and for 10 years as Head of Technology at Random International where he oversaw the design and installation of Rain Room,’ 2012. Dev is Visiting Lecturer at IDE at the RCA / Imperial College. Dev studied Product Design Engineering BsC at Brunel University. Sophie Mei Birkin is a London based artist with a multimedia practice. She has recently exhibited work at The Split Gallery, Barbican Cinema, Collective Ending HQ, The Artist Room Gallery, Projektraum Claas Reiss and Saatchi Gallery. Sophie Mei is an Associate Lecturer at University of the Arts London (UAL). Sophie Mei graduated in 2021 from MA Sculpture at the Slade School of Fine Art, where she was awarded the Euan Uglow Scholarship and an Emerging Artist Award by Sarabande Foundation.