Leni Schwendinger

Dreaming in Color, a Dimensional Color Field

Nine metal-mesh scrims frame a promenade, extending the lobby of McCaw Hall. Viewing of the accumulated layers magnifies the potential for live light-color mixing. Five “melodies for the eyes” play in a weekly color-field sequence. In 2017 an LED upgrade was designed along with new programmed sequences for Dreaming in Color (2). Schwendinger composed a new sequence based on Itten’s Seven Contrasts and created a framework for other artists to experiment. This project was designed closely with architects, landscape architect and clients.

Dreaming in Color, a Dimensional Color Field

Nine metal-mesh scrims frame a promenade, extending the lobby of McCaw Hall. Viewing of the accumulated layers magnifies the potential for live light-color mixing. Five “melodies for the eyes” play in a weekly color-field sequence. In 2017 an LED upgrade was designed along with new programmed sequences for Dreaming in Color (2). Schwendinger composed a new sequence based on Itten’s Seven Contrasts and created a framework for other artists to experiment. This project was designed closely with architects, landscape architect and clients.

Chroma Streams, Tide and Traffic

Public art at Kingston Bridge uses light to give resonance to the surfaces, to heighten its rapport with the flow of the river and through evolving real-time patterns, explore the relationship between the flow of traffic and the slow change of the tides.

Chroma Streams, Tide and Traffic is a pioneering public art installation utilizing interactive sensors for real-time data display. This site-specific, innovative artwork harnesses light in a number of ways: to illuminate and give resonance to the bridge’s overlooked surfaces; to heighten its rapport with the flow of the river below it; and to, through a series of shifting and evolving real-time patterns, explore the relationship between the flow of traffic on the bridge itself and the slow change of the tides on the river below. This commission was part of a wider revitalization of the Historic Clyde River banks, once a center industrial shipping activity had been abandoned and is now undergoing master-planning and construction.

Triple Bridge Gateway

In Manhattan, dismal ramps are transformed by light, materials and paint color to emphasize the I-beam structures, creating a luminous room at the highest trafficked bus terminal in the US.

Artwork includes metal meshes, glass panels and reflectors for subtle, yet urbanistic lighting patterns. As per community guidelines there is an environmental approach to underside of the bridges and “landmark’ approach to facings. Each day and evening one of four light scenarios is selected. Metal mesh is illuminated by standard lighting fixtures utilized in innovative ways. Reflective panels produce a light-carpet on the road creating a luminous room in the midst of an urban node.

Glowing Waterway

Wasser Strasse is literally the “water street”, so named for the stream beneath its surface and the path it makes to the Ruhr River. The artwork recalls the flows of water and footsteps that have traversed this path since the 15th century and is experienced as a street and as a river of light. The street edge is redefined by a festoon of continuous aquamarine lines. Undulating projected forms bathe the visitors as they walk or stop to rest on curvy concrete benches. Playing with perspective – the large-scale of the Hell Weg, the street-scale of Wasser Strasse and the small-scale of a ripple – the installation can be perceived on many levels and by many ages, children through adult. Viewed from afar, luminous lines and patterns will converge to create a path of sparkling water-light. Up close, Unna residents, workers and visitors will experience the artwork as gathering space for conversations and evening fun.

SpectraScape

An interactive artwork utilizes the narrow edge of four glass study shelters. To achieve SpectraScape, innovative LED technologies and computer electronics are employed with custom fabricated art-glass panels. The artwork welcomes visitors as sited on the park’s periphery. When a passing visitor enters the shelter, the L-shaped structure glows with luminous bands of color. Dynamic sequences are pre-programed for each of the seasons.

Seasonal Light

Art commission spanning multiple years was closely collaborative with architects to create a glowing nighttime beacon. Multiple metal-mesh ribbons skin a rapid transit station to create a complex curved, undulating, illuminated skin. Schwendinger created color palettes and animated LED sequences to evoke colors/rhythms of the four seasons. Technically, her team worked with the architects and engineers to determine material characteristics of metals and customize the lighting fixtures.

Tidal Radiance

Tidal Radiance is a wall sculpture of custom cast-glass and metal forms. After dark, it becomes a shimmering, organic form, seen from near and far. Chromatic seasonal illuminations are evocative of San Diego bay culture.

A Spatial Portrait

This museum sited, suspended sculpture, creates a dazzling vision in real time while providing a fun interactive experience. The suspended LED museum installation captures visitor movements creating a 3D lobby portrait. From multiple positions, sensor cameras track circulation. Through digital processing, interactive information is displayed as color fields. It mirrors museum goals for education and engagement.

The artwork design included extensive user interface testing to ensure interactive visual legibility.

A Spatial Portrait

This museum sited, suspended sculpture, creates a dazzling vision in real time while providing a fun interactive experience. The suspended LED museum installation captures visitor movements creating a 3D lobby portrait. From multiple positions, sensor cameras track circulation. Through digital processing, interactive information is displayed as color fields. It mirrors museum goals for education and engagement.

The artwork design included extensive user interface testing to ensure interactive visual legibility.

10/08/2021