The London Biennale features cutting edge displays from leading designers from 40 different countries.
Australian artist Flynn Talbot’s contribution, called Full Spectrum, is a rainbow of light comprising 150 LED strands, hanging from a circular frame. Guests are encouraged to play walk through the space and interact with it.
Mr Talbot says he came up with the concept as he watched the result of the 2017 same sex marriage plebiscite being announced.
“I just thought that’s the most perfect symbol to work with right there, so I worked with the emotion of love, trying to recreate that in a light instillation,” he said.
Like many of the artworks on display at the Biennale, there is plenty of technology behind Full Spectrum.
“There’s software right now running the colour of every piece,” says Mr Talbot.
“There’s a colour changing LED lighting up each fibre optic strand. I work very hard to conceal all the technology, because there’s a lot of wiring within this frame.”
The Biennale’s Director, Ben Evans, is a fan of the Australian contribution.
“I think it’s a rather kind of beautiful and immersive experience, using light, and I think audiences will respond well to it.”
This year’s theme for exhibition is ‘Emotional States’. Designers were asked to explore the links between design and people’s emotions.
“We think we’re in quite a turbulent time in terms of global politics with lots and lots of change,” says Mr Evans.
“We also think design has an impact on people, their personalities and their perspective.”
The exhibition is only open for three weeks, but some of the displays will be transported to other galleries around the world.
