& artworks | installations
artworks | installations
Aether & Hemera are the ancient Greek god and goddess of brighter upper air and daylight; Aether is Claudio, the new media architect; Hemera is Gloria, the lighting artist.. Aether & Hemera multi-disciplinary studio produces engaging spaces that connect people with their environment; the artistic aim is to explore the aesthetic challenges of light and its power to trigger emotions and response, creating a sense of identity or setting a mood. We perceive colours and light as an epiphany of possible beauty, a levity amplifier and a metamorphosis tool transforming places and dimensions. We are
also keen to look at the ways colours, light and sound can interact with each other and with the viewers. In our practice we are particularly interested in investigating the ways in which metals, textured surfaces, glass, filters, plastics, and other absorbing or reflecting materials can be effectively employed along with natural daylight or lighting technologies such as LED’s, UV lamps, fibre optics and projections. The aim of Aether & Hemera’s artistic vision is to provoke memories, explore aesthetic interactions and to elicit feelings of connective human experiences in a required-to-participate audience.
artworks | installations
01 | Fluidity 02 | Synesthesia 03 | Voyage 04 | Chromatic Circles 05 | Growing Forest 06 | Rainbow Glowing Wheels 06 | Which Is Your Brass Voice? 07 | Lighting Clock 08 | Maze 09 | Chromatic Octagon 10 | The Colour of Phi 11 | My Place in the World 12 | Colored Waves 13 | Lead Artists for Sustrans Connect2 14 | Blue TriVeru 15 | Coloured Sails 16 | Dreamt Vessel 17 | Infinity 18 | The Twelve Days Star 19 | Rose’s Halo 20 | Light, Music & Sculptures 21 | Blue
2013 Fluidity
Northern Design Festival Newcastle upon Tyne
Interactive lighting installation which visualises the ‘gender experiences’ of the festival audience. This lighting work reacts in real time reflecting people’s feelings, changing its colour according to the data inputted by the participants through their smart phones. Influenced by Dr. Hilton’s research and supported by his deep insight, the installation aims at stimulating discussion and reflection around gender identity, engaging with people and helping them question pre-assumptions. Supported by: Arts Council England
2013 Synesthesia Vivid Sydney Australia The audience is invited to speak into a set of microphones; the system captures all the sounds performed and uses them for creating a new soundscape, in real time accompanied with synchronised light events. This artwork allows viewers to become active participants in creating multisensory computermediated experiences, with the aim of investigating the potential for creative forms of inter-authorship. Commissioned by: Vivid Festival NSW
2012 - 2013 Voyage Canary Wharf London Enlivening Middle Dock during the dark winter months, ‘Voyage’ consists of 300 floating “paper boats”, illuminated from within by coloured LED lights; the installation is an interactive experience that people can engage with from their mobile phones. Commissioned for: Canary Wharf Group’s awardwinning public art programme.
2013 Chromatic Circles Morpeth Integrated Care Centre Northumberland Art Strategy for the new exemplar NHS community facility in Morpeth. We engaged with P+HS Architects and staff through the research and design development stage. Commissioned by: Commissioned by Inspire Northumberland in partnership with NHS North of Tyne Estates Department
2013 Growing Forest Kinetica Art Fair London Growing Forest is an interactive installation that employs data visualisation and digital media, for reflecting the growing state of the social relations, and conversations in the exhibition space. A bespoken software application produces algorithmic-based trees customised on the audio input signals. R&D supported by: Arts Council England
2012 Rainbow Glowing Wheels Shimmer, Whitley Bay, North Tyneside Rainbow Glowing Wheels is the development of a kinetic light installation, which employs digital media for celebrating the heritage and history of Whitley Bay seafront. Commissioned by: North Tyneside Council
2012 Which is your Brass Voice? for International Brass Festival Durham Digital Media was used for this interactive installation to create a multi-sensory experience for the festival audiences. Bespoken Artificial Intelligence software analyses the stream of visitor’s voices in real time and extracts information used to modulate brass sound and light effects in the space. Commissioned by: Durham City Council.
2011 Lightning Clock Harbottle Park Newcastle upon Tyne Artwork that signals the exact time through coloured light impulses replacing the chimes in usual clock towers; a custom antenna detects the atomic clock signal transmitted by the National Physical Laboratory and a custom hardware and bespoken DMX software translates it into colour lighting scenography every 15 minutes, using RGB high-powered LEDs. Commissioned by: Newcastle City Council
2011 Maze Harbottle Park Newcastle upon Tyne Cor-ten artwork for the South East entrance which users can interact with and choose its colour through their mobile phones. Commissioned by: Newcastle City Council
2011 Chromatic Octagon for Selby NHS Yorkshire A site-specific dichroic-glass suspended artwork for the main entrance of the new Selby Hospital, inspired by the octagonal geometry of the space. Commissioned by: NHS North Yorkshire and York.
2011 The Colour of Phi DLI/Durham Art Gallery Durham Site-specific electro-luminescent artwork uses the concept of the Golden Ratio as a mathematical and aesthetic principle. Supported by arts Council of England North East. Commissioned by: Durham City Council.
2011 My Place in the World Sunderland A temporary light installation for ‘Roker by night’ event in Sunderland, to launch the Seaside Towns Cultural programme. Commissioned by: Sunderland City Council.
2010 Coloured Waves Whiston Hospital’s St. Helen Four dichroic-glass suspended artworks for the main entrance of the new Whiston Hospital, collaboration with Taylor Woodrow. Commissioned by: Arts for Health, Manchester Metropolitan University
2010 Lead Artists for Sustrans Connect2 South East Northumberland Art Strategy for two new cycle and walking routes in Blyth and Bedlington and engagement with locals. Commissioned by Inspire Northumberland, Sustrans and Northumberland County Council.
2010 Blue TriVeru Truro Health park Cornwall, UK
Chroic glass suspended artwork for one of the main entrances of a new Truro Health Park. The name Truro is derived from the Cornish “tri-veru”, meaning “three rivers” owing to its location. Inspired by the colours of the rivers and the genius loci of Truro, our artwork is made of dichroic glass and stainless steel wires. Commissioned by: AFHC (Arts for Health Cornwall and Isles of Scilly)
2010 Coloured Sails Truro Health park Cornwall, UK
Interactive lighting sculptures for one of the main entrances of a new NHS Health Park in Truro. Using high efficient LEDs lights, a digital colour control and a motion sensor the artworks trigger a colour sequence when someone walks below. Coloured Sails is an interactive lighting sculpture that uses primary colours to inspire relief and ease emotions. Commissioned by: AFHC (Arts for Health Cornwall and Isles of Scilly)
2010 Dreamt Vessel Queen’s Hall Art Centre (9 January – 20 February 2010) Filling Gallery One with minimalistic blue light ships we allowed visitors to travel and sail with absolute freedom to all the places they cared to imagine. Curator: Judith King
2009 Infinity Cannon Hall Museum Barnsley Site-specific installation using lights and mirrors to transform Cannon Hall Museum’s Gardens; the themes of reflection and symmetry provided the opportunity for a playful interaction and extra-ordinary perception of the surrounding space. Commissioned by: Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council.
2009 The Twelve Days Star Gateshead Inspired by the theme of the event ‘’Twelve Days of Christmas’’ Aether & Hemera artwork visualise 12 different layers that together shape a colourful star. Commissioned by: Magnetic Events, Gateshead Council
2008 Rose’s Halo Saltwell Park Gateshead Sound and light installation that confers the Rose Garden the enchanted looks that it has during spring time and could be experienced by the public at multiple levels. Commissioned by: Magetic Events, Gateshead Council
2007 Light, music and sculptures San Maurizio Church Milan Light, music and sculptures is a dynamic lighting installation part of a performance in San Maurizio Church in Milan. Collaborated with, sculptor A. Demetz and pianist M. Carbonara. Organized by: Ambrosia Association.
2006 Blue Tuscany Italy Collaboration with Achitects C.L.Poccianti, Solazzi and Pollice for the creation of a site specific permanent light installation in a Wine cellar for Montalcino’s Brunello in Castiglion del Bosco. Amber LEDs recessed in the capitals, black lamps and fluorescent paint behind the fanlights were used to stimulate the emotional perception of the visitors, interacting with all of their senses.
artworks | objects
01 | Silver Lining in a Box 02 | Mood Chair 03 | Heart_Bit Lamp
Silver Lining in a Box LED Lamp Inspired by the natural gleam of sunlight along clouds’ edges, Aether & Hemera’s lamp mimics the effects of ‘silver lining’ and plays with its meaning, providing a memento for positive thinking in the current politic climate. Silver Lining in a Box is made from sheets of laser-cut steel. When the lamp is lit, cloud-shaped patterns cut into the top and sides of the box project a ‘silver lining’ on the surrounding walls, creating a magical effect of shadows and light.
Mood Chair Interactive Forniture A piece of interactive furniture that changes colour in response to the colours that its sensors perceive from the environment and the users Technically interactive furniture consists of translucent units, with embedded L.E.D. (light-emitting diode) light sources, microchip and sensors. These devices react to the colours that its sensors perceive from the environment translating them, with the embedded Aether & Hemera’s software, into lighting effects for the furniture.
Heart_Bit Lamp Interactive Lamp Interactive table lamp that provides not only a functional white light but also an emotional red accent light, which triggers at the exact same rhythm of user’s pulse. When you touch the sensor your pulse is transformed by the embedded software into lighting effects.
curriculum vitae Aether | Claudio Benghi Education & Teaching 2009 – Present Senior Lecturer at Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne. 2007 Doctorate at Polytechnic University of Milan, Milan, Italy 2000 - 2005 Professor with a temporary appointment for the course: “Communication design” Polytechnic University of Milan - School of Design. 2000 M.Sc., Architecture, Polytechnic University of Milan, Milan, Italy Hemera | Gloria Ronchi Education & Fellowship June-Oct. 08 Institute of Digital Innovation Fellowship was given for the design and creation of a ‘Mood Chair’, a piece of interactive furniture that responds to the environment and people. 2003-2004 Brera Academy of Fine Arts in Milan, Italy - MA master degree in Lighting Design 1999-2000 Polytechnic University of Milan, Italy - Course in Interactive New Media 1994-1999 Polytechnic University of Milan, Italy- MSc
selected exhibitions | commissions 2013 | Fluidity - Northern Design Festival, Newcastle upon Tyne
Interactive lighting installation which visualises the ‘gender experiences’ of the festival audience. This lighting work reacts in real time reflecting people’s feelings, changing its colour according to the data inputted by the participants through their smart phones. Influenced by Dr. Hilton’s research and supported by his deep insight, the installation aims at stimulating discussion and reflection around gender identity, engaging with people and helping them question pre-assumptions.
2013 | Synesthesia - Vivid Sydney, Australia
The audience is invited to speak into a set of microphones; the system captures all the sounds performed and uses them for creating a new soundscape, in real time accompanied with synchronised light events. This artwork allows viewers to become active participants in creating multisensory computer-mediated experiences, with the aim of investigating the potential for creative forms of inter-authorship. Commissioned by Vivid Sydney.
2012 2013 | Voyage - Canary Wharf, London
Enlivening Middle Dock during the dark winter months, ‘Voyage’ consists of 300 floating “paper boats”, illuminated from within by coloured LED lights; the installation is an interactive experience that people can engage with from their mobile phones. Commissioned for Canary Wharf Group’s award-winning public art programme.
2013 | Chromatic Circles - Morpeth Integrated Care Centre, Northumberland
Art Strategy for the new exemplar NHS community facility in Morpeth. We engaged with P+HS Architects and staff through the research and design development stage. Commissioned by Inspire Northumberland in partnership with NHS North of Tyne Estates.
2013 | Growing Forest - Kinetica Art Fair, London
Growing Forest is an interactive installation that employs data visualisation and digital media, for reflecting the growing state of the social relations, and conversations in the exhibition space. A bespoken software application produces algorithmic-based trees customised on the audio input signals.
2012 | Rainbow Glowing Wheels - Shimmer, Whitley Bay, North Tyneside
Rainbow Glowing Wheels is the development of a kinetic light installation, which employs digital media for celebrating the heritage and history of Whitley Bay seafront. Commissioned by North Tyneside Council.
2012 | Germinating Seeds - Blinc Digital Festival, Conwy, Wales
Data visualisation and digital media is used for an interactive video-projection, part of the Blinc Digital Festival. Supported by The Arts Council of Wales, Conwy County Council and Cadw.
2012 | Culture Cloud Exhibition - New Art Exchange, Nottingham
‘The colour of Phi’ has been selected by NAE’s curators from over 900 submissions and the final 40 artworks were selected via a public vote. An artistic photo of ‘The colour of Phi’ is currently exhibited at the New Art Exchange gallery in Nottingham.
2012 | ‘Which is your Brass Voice?’ for International Brass Festival, Durham.
Digital Media was used for this interactive installation to create a multi-sensory experience for the festival audiences. Bespoken Artificial Intelligence software analyses the stream of visitor’s voices in real time and extracts information used to modulate brass sound and light effects in the space. Commissioned by Durham City Council.
2011 | Entrance Features for Harbottle Park, Newcastle upon Tyne
We designed and created an installation of interactive landmarks for Harbottle Park entrances. During the overall project we engaged with local people, developing our concept in collaboration with and responding to their input. ‘Lighting Clock’ signals the exact time through coloured light impulses replacing the chimes in usual clock towers; a custom antenna detects the atomic clock signal transmitted by the National Physical Laboratory and a custom hardware and bespoken DMX software translates it into colour lighting scenography every 15 minutes, using RGB high-powered LEDs. ‘Coloured Maze’ is a Cor-ten artwork for the South East entrance which users can interact with and choose its colour through their mobile phones. Commissioned by Newcastle City Council
2011 | Chromatic Octagon for Selby NHS, Yorkshire
A site-specific dichroic-glass suspended artwork for the main entrance of the new Selby Hospital, inspired by the octagonal geometry of the space. Commissioned by NHS North Yorkshire and York.
2011 | The Colour of Phi at DLI/Durham Art Gallery, Durham
Site-specific electro-luminescent artwork uses the concept of the Golden Ratio as a mathematical and aesthetic principle. Supported by arts Council of England North East. Commissioned by Durham City Council.
2011 | My Place in the World, Sunderland
A temporary light installation for ‘Roker by night’ event in Sunderland, to launch the Seaside Towns Cultural programme. Commissioned by Sunderland City Council.
2010 | Lead Artists for Morpeth Integrated Care Centre, Northumberland
Art Strategy for the new exemplar NHS community facility in Morpeth. We engaged with P+HS Architects and staff through the research and design development stage.Commissioned by Inspire Northumberland in partnership with NHS North of Tyne Estates.
2010 | Coloured Waves for Whiston Hospital’s, St. Helen
Four dichroic-glass suspended artworks for the main entrance of the new Whiston Hospital, collaboration with Taylor Woodrow. Commissioned by Arts for Health, Manchester Metropolitan University
2010 | Lead Artists for Sustrans Connect2 South East Northumberland
Art Strategy for two new cycle and walking routes in Blyth and Bedlington and engagement with locals. Commissioned by Inspire Northumberland, Sustrans and Northumberland County Council.
2010 | Stories at Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Wolverhampton
‘Rose’s Halo’, an audio-light installation -has been part of the ‘Stories’ exhibition. Through paintings, drawings, sculptures and collage, the gallery space has been transformed into an enchanted, playful and mysterious land. Curator: Helen Oliver.
2010 | ‘Dreamt Vessel’ at Queen’s Hall Art Centre (9 January – 20 February 2010) Filling Gallery One with minimalistic blue light ships we allowed visitors to travel and sail with absolute freedom to all the places they cared to imagine. Curator: Judith King
2009 | Infinity - Cannon Hall Museum, Barnsley
Site-specific installation using lights and mirrors to transform Cannon Hall Museum’s Gardens; the themes of reflection and symmetry provided the opportunity for a playful interaction and extra-ordinary perception of the surrounding space. Commissioned by Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council.
2009 | MART 09 at BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, Newcastle upon Tyne
Exhibition of innovative works curated by Design Event and showcase of the ‘Mood Chair’, a piece of interactive furniture that changes colour in response to the colours that its sensors perceive from the environment and the users and the ‘Heart_Bit Lamp’, an emotional table lamp, which triggers at the exact same rhythm of user’s pulse. The ‘Mood Chair’ and the ‘Heart_Bit Lamp’ have been also exhibited at 100%Design London in 2010 and featured in the ‘Futures’ of 100% Insider Guide.
2009 | Enchanted Park, part of Culture10 Winter Festival 2009
The Twelve Days Star: a temporary lighting installation using EL-wire in Saltwell Park, Gateshead. Commissioned by Magnetic Events, Gateshead Council.
2009 | Odin’s Glow, part of Culture10 regional programme “Landscape and Heritage”
Captain Cook’s dreamt vessels: a temporary light installation in Newton under Roseberry, Commissioned by Magnetic Events, Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council in partnership with VisitTeesValley.
2008 | Suspended installations Truro Health Park, Cornwall
Three suspended lighting installations for the entrances of a new NHS Health Centre; Blue Tri-Veru is a dichroic glass artwork and Coloured Sails are interactive LED lights sculptures. We engaged with DAC Architects, the other artists involved in the project and the local community through the research and design development stage. Commissioned by AFHC (Arts for Health Cornwall and Isles of Scilly).
2008 | Enchanted Park, part of Culture10 Winter Festival 2008
Roses halo: a temporary sound and light installations in Saltwell Park, Gateshead.Commissioned by Magnetic Events, Gateshead Council.
2007 | Light, music and sculptures in San Maurizio Church, Milan
Light, music and sculptures is a dynamic lighting installation part of a performance in San Maurizio Church in Milan. Collaborated with, sculptor A. Demetz and pianist M. Carbonara. Organized by Ambrosia Association.
2007 | Line of Light, Milan
Design of bespoke lighting and urban furniture for Santa Giulia’s garden, a new development in Milan. Collaborated with Pollice Illuminazione and West8 Landscape Architects.
(for more information, go to: http://www.aether-hemera.com/Work/Index/Installations)
references Colin Robson Arts Officer (Public Art & Events)
Durham County Council Northumbria House Aykley Heads Durham DH1 5TS Tel: 03000 265554 Email: colin.robson@durham.gov.uk
Wendy Scott Design & Arts Development Manager
Northumberland County Council Customer and Cultural Services County Hall Morpeth Northumberland NE61 2EF Email: wendy.scott02@northumberland.gov.uk
Keith Watson Public Art Officer
Canary Wharf Ltd One Canada Square London, E14 5AB Tel: +44(0)20 7418 2257 Email: Keith.Watson@canarywharf.com
website www.aether-hemera.com
contact details Gloria Ronchi, Claudio Benghi Kingsland Church Studios Priory Green Byker Newcastle upon Tyne NE6 2DW +44(0) 7832377281 hemera@aether-hemera.com
& artworks | installations
www.aether-hemera.com