Artist Masamichi Shimada is inspired by the 2017 Nobel Prize in Physics that was awarded to Rainer Weiss, Barry C. Barish and Kip S. Thorne for “decisive contributions to the LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory) detector and the observation of gravitational waves.”
The first gravitational waves, ripples in the fabric of space-time, to be detected on Earth were caused by the collision of two black holes about one billion light years away. The waves were given the name of “GW150914.” They continued to travel through space-
time for eons, reaching all the way to Earth to tell us of their majestic story.
This light installation is a depiction of that story. The rhythm of the artwork’s light ripples are sampled from the waveform of GW150914.
Nobel Week Lights
Lighting up Stockholm during the darkest time of the year, Nobel Week Lights is an outdoor light art festival accessible for everyone.
Masamichi Shimada
Masamichi Shimada was born in Japan in 1978. His art explores the scientific expressions in nature, for example waveforms in the water change depending on factors such as time, temperature, pressure, and humidity. Shimada creates installation works that capture these motifs using light.
His works have been exhibited at many light festivals around the world. In recent years, he has also been using light art to revitalize forgotten places in local communities and working on art projects alongside residents of these communities.
Nobel Week Lights
Art lighting up Stockholm
Read about Nobel Week Lights, a free light art festival taking place in Stockholm during the darkest time of the year.