troika: bent light archway arcades project at interieur 2012 L30 m x W2 m x H3.2 m lenses, lights, steel and aluminium image © designboom

designboom met with sebastien noel in kortrijk to discuss london-based art and design studio troika‘s vision for ‘future primitives project’ as part of the biennale interieur 2012 entitled ‘arcades project’ – a site specific light installation exploring what is intangible and what is physical. set up in a former stable building in the historical town of old buda island in belgium, the artwork is an archway given shape by a series of 14 columns of light that are met by a fresnel lens refracting the rays of light that travel through its focal point. on exiting the lens the rays do not just change direction but bend hyperbolically to form the arches of gothic architecture – an immaterial structure.

sebastien noel describes the lighting concept and installation video © designboom

the experimental project combines the elements of science and philosophy articulated through intersecting the disciplines of sculpture, architecture and art where the implanted illuminated form engages in strong metaphysical dialogue with its surrounding volumes – brick walls, pitched roofs and exposed wooden beams. the work offers a moment to reflect upon the ethereal architecture – exploring the boundaries of what does and does not define a space and, ultimately, an experience.

the artwork is set up in a former stable building in the historical town of old buda island in belgium image © designboom

troika comments on their take on the ‘future primitives’ project: ‘our interpretation of the ‘future primitives’ recognizes and questions our consumption with technological progress by offering room for reflection and moments of contemplation rather than efficiency in performance, and celebrates observation, human involvement and experience in an increasingly rational and rationalized world‘.

the experimental project combines the elements of science and philosophy image © designboom

a detail of the artwork illustrating the refraction of light image © designboom

a series of 14 columns of luminosity are met by a fresnel lens refracting the rays of light that travel through its focal point image © designboom

the implanted illuminated form engages in strong metaphysical dialogue with its surrounding volumes image © designboom

the work explores the boundaries of what does and does not define a space image © designboom

detail of the lower part of the column image © designboom

image © designboom

image courtesy of troika

video © designboom

sebastien noel of troika portrait © designboom

a sketch of the concept image courtesy of troika

isaac newton’s sketch of his crucial experiment (experimentum crucis) in which light from the sun is refracted through a prism

image courtesy troika

the biennale INTERIEUR 2012 has invited 7 artists, designers and architects to create a project room. curator lowie vermeersch explains the future primitives showcase which features nendo, makkink & bey, ross lovegrove, greg lynn, troika, david bowen and muller van severen.

— INTERIEUR 2012 biennale in the city, city in the biennale 20 – 28 october kortrijk, belgium

the biennale INTERIEUR is now in its 23rd edition and is internationally recognized as an not-to-be-missed overview of trends, tastes and cultural movements. INTERIEUR 2012 will be bigger and better than ever with an extensive programme and an exciting mix of culture and commerce. it will bring a curated selection of 300 international design brands to 90.000 expected visitors over a period of nine days, additional exhibitions are scheduled to be shown in the city-centre, and pop-up bars plus a restaurant will be installed beyond the halls of the fairgrounds.