Is it coincidence that Time Magazine honors Thomas Edison, who worked on the incandescent light bulb, at the same time when cleaning my back porch, I find some old, unfinished, cast clay light bulb pieces I had once started 30 years ago?
Like moths, what is our fascination with this object? It was the subject of Man Rays' first sculpture, 'Light Bulb #1' in 1958, and he continued to explore and depict it in various ways for 20 years! There's something about the simplicity of its shape, it's smooth delicate glass, that little bit of metallic rippling and of course the bottom black button! Then there's the interpretation of meaning-an idea, modernity, hope...
Now the incandescent is fading out to it's newer, more energy efficient replacement, the CFL (compact fluorescent light bulb). Will the spiral shaped CFL catch the eye of today's artist? Will it's shape replace the pear=shaped incandescent as the 'idea' icon? I've already noticed that some CFLs are hidden inside a round or pear shaped glass bulb. Apparently, people don't find the spiral/twist shape very appealing, but it could just be what we're use to. The youngsters of today are familiar w/the spiral shape and who knows, CFLs may be replaced by LED types of lighting.
Moscow artist, Olga Rezanova has made a video tribute, 'Goodbye, Electric Light Bulb.' Perhaps we should all take a close last look at the incandescent and make our interpretations before it disappears.
Can I pass on a correction?
ReplyDeleteThe light bulb sculpture above is by artist Jasper Johns, not Man Ray.
Here's a link to more light bulb art by Johns.
http://www.henryart.org/exhibitions/upcoming/1104