Reflecting On Silence

Reflecting on Silence spatially explores the direct phenomena of reflection, using material properties and digital means to construct a world that is both rational and mysterious. Dynamically scripted light patterns are projected onto revolving sculpted reflectors. As the reflected light beams bounce off of augmented reflectors, they transpose the micro-topography of the reflector into spatial light projections.

This body of work was initially developed as light art for The Other Side of Silence operatic workshop, incorporated into the Lichttanz performed at EMPAC during the workshop in October 2024. The Other Side of Silence is an Opera written for synthetic and acoustic voices and focuses on the story of a non-speaking person with disabilities who uses augmentative assistive technology (AAC) to communicate and sing. Therefore, the light art was developed to visualize the human instrument for sound production. The reflectors were embossed with vocal cords and the human mouth topography with the aid of a robotic arm.

The public could also experience the work through the spatial immersive light installation Reflecting on Silence during the Troy Glow Light Festival, where viewers were immersed in the ever-changing otherworldly projections that reveal what is not easily detected to the naked eye. The installation allowed the general public to interact with the light drawings, sit and observe as they transmute and change. We curated different events to allow audience and performers alike to engage with the light in the public realm – Kinetic Sound Performance of soundscape by Andrea Williams,  Dance and Interaction Design by Ophra Wolf and a live performance by Sam Torres. The projected light combines digital and analog means to meld material properties with reflected light and generate delicate ephemeral spatial worlds.

Reflecting on Silence was made possible with support by lightexture, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute School of Architecture and The Arts Thrive and Grow Grant. Arts Thrive and Grow has been funded by New York State, Kathy Hochul, Governor. We thank Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins for her extraordinary commitment and leadership, and our elected officials who represent our grantmaking region: Senators Jake Ashby and Neil D. Breslin; Assembly members Scott H. Bendett, Patricia Fahy, John T. McDonald III, Angelo Santabarbara, Phil Steck, and Mary Beth Walsh.

Project Team:

Light Art: Yael Erel, Avner BenNatan with Carla Leitao

Robotic Fabrication Support: Claire Moriarty

RPI Research Students: Javier Torres, Ethan Aspiras and Scott Sigmund.

Dance and Interaction Design: Ophra Wolf.

Special thanks to RPI Fabrication shops.

The Other Side of Silence Operatic Workshop: Presented by Opera Saratoga and EMPAC Research, written for synthetic and acoustic voices by librettists Mark Steidl and Katherine Skovira and composer Robert Whalen. Opera Saratoga Team: director Mary Birnbaum, production design Camilla Tassi and producer Amanda Robie.  Light art developed by Yael Erel and Avner BenNatan with Carla Leitao was utilized as part of the Lichttanz component of the production, augmented by Camilla Tassi.

Made possible with support by lightexture, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute School of Architecture and The Arts Thrive and Grow Grant.

Reflecting on Silence Installation was part of Troy Glow Light Festival in partnership with lightexture.