Hexagon Intergalactic: Polaris
Large video-in-plywood wooden sculpture in shape of star
Polaris is a large star-shaped light sculpture built from dark-stained Finnish birch plywood and steel hardware. Inside the layered structure, hundreds of hidden LEDs create a soft, indirect glow that seeps between the layers—no visible bulbs, more like emberlight than a technical fixture. A desktop computer runs custom real-time graphics, playing and generating living video in the LEDs: kaleidoscopic, organic textures that continuously evolve and respond like a slow, breathing sky. Named after the North Star, the work turns a distant fixed point into a physical presence above the viewer. It draws from Polaris’ cultural role in the north: a practical guide for travellers and seafarers, and a symbolic anchor through winter, snow and darkness. Standing under the star, the audience becomes “oriented by” light, shifting the focus from light as an object to light as something that organises our movement, attention, stories and inner seasons.
Visual artist and multidisciplinary sculptor, b. 1986
https://www.hexagon.fi
Information
Artwork finished in:
2026
Light sources, other materials and equipment used:
Programmable LEDs and their controller. Desktop computer playing and generating living video in leds, creating kaleidoscopic and organic textures inside the sculpture.
Dimensions of the work, approximately (width-height-depth):
220cm x 220 x 5cm, excluding the control computer and controller. The controller is a 2U rack case and the computer is a mac mini. Needs to be set up somewhere safe.
Approximate dimensions of the work for mailing / sending.:
Will not be sent via mail. Is delivered and installed by me.
Power consumption:
Standard mains current (10A/16A)
Sound in artwork:
no sound
Support and other structures:
The work needs support structures, hanging points, or similar
Structures, hardware and other equipment needed from the client.:
Ladder for wall installation, lift or comparable for ceiling installation
Minimum height of the space:
3 meters
Minimum square meters of the space:
10
Requirements for the space: darkness, temperature, colouring (light / dark / specific colour / other) etc:
Preferably indoors, protected from water. The darker the space, the brighter the star.
Building time and people required (estimate):
I build and configure it in a four hours or more (still in a day), depending on the complexity of the space
Artist's presence:
Artist or their representative must be present during building
