The 'Light Catcher' in the IDFA Vondelpark Pavilion
Now hanging in the IDFA Vondelpark Pavilion foyer, the 'Light Catcher' was specially created by Dutch design duo Designers of the Unusual.
Seaweed
The unique work of light art is made from lab-grown and sea-farmed native algae and seaweed, which were processed into the studio's custom-developed 'Wierwaar' material and then fed into a 3D printer.
The 'Light Catcher' measures 1 x 3 meters and hangs in the foyer above the building's central staircase. The artwork consists exclusively of modular elements, which represent cells of algae, effectively evoking an underwater kelp forest. In each bend and fold, the designers have combined different types of micro and macro seaweed with varying reflective properties, leading to a range of colors and scattered light reflections that continuously evolve based on time of day.
Designers of the Unusual
Designers of the Unusual, the designer duo consisting of Maartje Dros and Eric Klarenbeek, combines social design with technology from an ecological perspective. In their work, they search for new meanings in (bio)technology to arrive at novel infrastructures for local production. In this way, the designers connect sea farmers, artisans, biologists, lab technicians, makers, and users.
JC Art Fund
The 'Light Catcher' was purchased by the JC Art Fund and given on long-term loan to IDFA. The fund is an initiative of art lovers who want to encourage art in public spaces, with the aim of showcasing the work of creators (especially young creators) to the widest possible audience. As close friends of the fund, Diane and Edward van der Marel are very involved in IDFA and helped facilitate the loan of the Light Catcher.
"The art we purchase from the JC Art Fund often combines a social story with aesthetics," Diane explains. "What I really like about the 'Light Catcher' is that it is made of living material. That's really going to be the future. To become sustainable, we need to work more with natural materials.
"The 'Light Catcher' not only gives warmth to the foyer; it also asks questions of the visitor. What am I looking at? What does it mean to look at something living instead of plastic? Intuitively it's just right. You can sense that. This is a work of art that gives hope for the future while making life fun. The 'Light Catcher' also inspires me to look further again."