Sign
Vendel & de Wolf
Nederlandse versie »
Firework! There are few words that can grab people's attention like "fire." Yet they do not always run from fire. When there is a big fire you see animals running away. People, on the other hand, are attracted to the flames. Our curiosity draws us to the fire.
With the installation Sign we see tongues of fire rising meters into the air. This captivating illusion, designed by the artist duo Vendel & De Wolf, consists of bamboo poles covered with aluminum tape. When you shine a light on it, the poles turn into a mass of flickering flames. The night sky lights up in a shower of sparks. It is a terrifying and fascinating sight. And not just because flames are so spectacular. It is also because fire equals destruction. And destruction leads to new beginnings.
Fire turns sand into glass, dough into bread. It destroys forests and makes the soil fertile at the same time. Fire can change everything in one fell swoop. And while you can run away from something like that – like a scaredy cat – you can also step forward and embrace the new beginning. That is precisely why this work of art is called Sign. It's a starting signal. Surrender to the fire, stare into the flames of change.
About the artist
Vendel & de Wolf
Vendel & de Wolf, artists Paul Vendel (1964) and Sandra de Wolf (1966), met during their studies at the Gerrit Rietveld Academy and have been working since then. Their work, mostly installations, is often located in (semi) public spaces and is often made especially for that location. The artists prefer to use recognizable and existing objects or materials. For Vendel and De Wolf, their work does not have to be immediately recognizable as art, they strive to appeal to a broad audience.
Credits
Production, distribution: Light Art Collection
Sign is part of the collection of ALLUMINOUS partner Light Art Collection.