Artist Paints “Bodyscapes” That Glow Under Black Light

“I’ve always been fascinated by black lights, the beauty of the human body, the world around me and the ability to create and express myself through art,” John Poppleton, the artist, said. “All of these ingredients I unexpectedly found creating what I call ‘Bodyscapes’”. He makes his artwork in a darkened studio – he paints with UV body paint under the illumination of the black light. From the artist’s perspective it becomes a very surreal even spiritual experience.

Woven Installation by Studio 400

A team of twenty students from a fifth-year architectural design studio at california polytechnic state university, san luis obispo, developed the large-scale, interactive sculpture to showcase each student’s research book. The piece integrates both the introduction of the students’ investigative publications and their collective installation by creating a previously unseen environment.

‘white’ is an actualized representation of the relationship between environment, user, material and space. The 4,500 square foot space has been transformed by a climbable sculpture constructed from 80,000 square feet of plastic sheeting arranged in cylindrical and tapered weaves. The material was first sliced, then loomed, woven, stapled, taped and tied by the collective in order to create a supportive surface in which gallery goers could rest and examine their architectural studies.

The rolling white installation has been constructed in such a way that it may accommodate the weight of many gallery goers, the twenty students aspired to create a sculptural work which would function as a climbable surface which could divide the space.

Studio 400 decided upon plastic to develop the work due to its flexibility, strength, cost efficiency and ability to be reused or modified following its role in the ‘white’ installation.

The short film ‘white: studio 400 book show installation’ by pablo sandoval showcases the construction of the dynamic sculpture.

Rain Room: it's raining, but you won't get wet

Rain Room is a hundred square metre field of falling water through which it is possible to walk, trusting that a path can be navigated, without being drenched in the process.

As you progress through the space the sound of water and a suggestion of moisture fill the air, before you are confronted by this carefully choreographed downpour that responds to your movements and presence.

The room is fitted with 3D cameras that sense your location in the room, and automatically turn off the water valves above your head, allowing you to walk through the downpour without getting wet.