Raisa Kilpeläinen: Tonic Light
Tonic Light (2017) is a light installation which the viewer may have a sip of.
Tonic Light (2017) by Raisa Kilpeläinen is a light installation which the viewer may have a sip of. Ultraviolet light transforms the quinine water, glowing and making it possible to drink light. In the piece Tonic Light, well-known materials are shown and experienced in new ways based on the essence of light.
Tonic Light consists of tonic drink, glowing drinking glasses and tableware lit by UV light. Alongside drinks, there can be a multi-sensory glowing goo to mould and squeeze. Maybe some liquid light can also be sprayed right into the visitors' mouths or in the air?
The piece has a mission to vitalise the experiencer. It makes a speculative drinking of light possible. Also, the hands-on modelling of light material is possible with the glowing side sludge. The main materials are UV light and quinine in different dispersions. The artistic aspiration of the piece is to multisensorise one’s experience of light.
Artist, lecturer, curator, researcher, and writer. Founding member of Art Collective KOKIMO (2010–).
Light art, media art, live art, lighting design, scenography, performative arts, and art pedagogy.
Information
Artwork finished in:
2017
Material of the artwork Groceries, UV light, tableware, non-alcoholic tonic water.
Dimensions of the artwork: Approx. 1m x 1m x 1m or bigger (or smaller)
Requirements for the space: Darkness/dimmed lights (so that the UV can work)
Electricity consumption: Standard mains current (10A/16A)
Support and other structures: The artwork needs a table or similar flat surface, with a black tablecloth
Required technology: UV-light (for example, two UV-tubes) (and a fridge is useful to have nearby)
Sound: No sound
Minimum height of the space: Normal standing height of a person, approx. minimum 2m.
Minimum square meters of the space: at least 2m2 plus room for audience (minimum 3m2)
Building time and people required (estimate): 1-2 h, 1 person
Artist's presence: Artist or their representative would love to be present during building, but guidance can be provided, too. The artist herself (or a host or a guide) is taking care of the piece and facilitating it during the exhibition.
On-site building: Assembled on-site. The table and the servings need to be facilitated during the exhibition times.
Seen before in: FLASH1 Light Art Biennale in Helsinki, Finland
