A lightning expert at the University of Bath has helped an artist create an exciting new artwork that flickers in response to lightning flashes as they happen around the globe.
The project by artist Katie Paterson, called Streetlight Storm, will transform Deal Pier in Kent into a monitoring system for global lightning activity.
Supported by Vauxhall Motors and Albion Gallery, in partnership with Turner Contemporary and Whitstable Biennale, the artwork runs from 21 December – 30 January 2010.
Dr Martin Fullekrug, from the University’s Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering, was the academic consultant on the project.
Every minute there can be between 1,000 and 3,000 lightning flashes happening around the world. By using sensitive radio measurements the art installation, along the length of the pier, will flicker simultaneously with each of these lightning strikes.
With the help of Dr Fullekrug’s knowledge, Katie was able to set up radio measurements to detect the lightning and link it to the installation.
Lightning signals from as far away as Central Africa and South America are then received by an antenna on the pier and translated into light.
Dr Fullekrug said: “Scientists are trying to measure lightning in the Earth’s atmosphere with sophisticated instruments to understand it better. Katie is using similar instrumentation to demonstrate the power of lightning in this breathtaking installation.
“The power of lightning is small but it is so enjoyable seeing the lights of Deal Pier flashing in tune with the powers of nature, it is a delightful experience.”
The installation opens on the winter equinox, Monday 21 December, and runs until Saturday 30 January 2010 – making the most of the dark winter nights.
Collaboration is central to Katie’s practice, as is being multi-disciplinary, cross-medium and conceptually driven.
She said: “I am interested in the way the ordinary and the otherworldly stuff intersect; I hope the work’s universal content will ignite the imagination of many.”