Light can be a transformative element in art. And that power is fully illuminated at Madison’s Olbrich Gardens this fall throughout the GLEAM | Art in a New Light exhibit, on view until Oct. 28.
The nine installations are more than just pretty lights. The majority of the artwork is interactive by design. One example is Sound the Deep Waters in which spontaneous phrases (submitted by viewers via a QR code) are translated into digital floral graphics projected onto a panoramic screen. Another is Mazing Shadows, a labyrinth of sculptures that are meant to be viewed through a smartphone camera in order to clearly see the plant, animal and insect outlines in the exterior surface of each lantern.
Thus the eighth year of GLEAM at Olbrich Gardens still has a few surprises in store for annual attendees—such as a forest of singing trees (Enchanted Tree Chronicles); a gazebo tricked out for a dance party (Twilight Twinkle); and a kinetic homage to night pollinators (In the Light of the Moon). There are also a few works by Wisconsin-based artists—an unexpected surprise since this year’s creators were ultimately selected from an international pool of applicants. It is obvious the collaborative team behind GLEAM is continuing to expand its curatorial reach casting a wide net to find fresh creative talent in other countries, plus close to home.
GLEAM at Olbrich Gardens is open to the public Wednesday through Saturday evenings until Oct. 28, with the first entry time starting at 6:30 p.m. It closes for the night at 10:30 p.m. And on Fridays and Saturdays, beverages are available for purchase at a pop-up station in the lobby. So enjoy having the opportunity to sip and stroll through one of the most picturesque locations in Madison under the stars while appreciating all the glow of one-of-a-kind, illuminated art.
For more information, visit www.olbrichgleam.org.
3330 Atwood Ave.
Madison, WI 53704
Photo credit: Rachel Werner