Experimental Light: Alyce Simon & Eva Lee
On View January 9, 2021 Through July 11, 2021
Located in the Main Galleries, 2nd Floor
This exhibition explores the work of Alyce Simon and Eva Lee, female artist-scientists who have created experimental works of art. Each artist has taken her talents and, through interdisciplinary partnerships with the scientific community, harnessed light to create wholly original pieces.
Alyce Simon (1925–2011) created radical works of art with a particle accelerator, or “atom smasher,” which produces complex fractal patterns on plastic due to the alteration of the material’s molecular structure when exposed to nuclear radiation. This process, called irradiation, results in Simon’s works that harness light to illuminate patterns that resemble leafless trees, human lungs, and lightning strikes.
Eva Lee (b. 1965) also uses science and projected light to create her work. Lee is a regular collaborator with scientists, particularly neuroscientists. She develops new worlds in her digital animation videos, ranging from the far reaches of the world to the spaces between subatomic particles. Lee challenges ideas of perception, questioning what could exist beyond what our eyes can see.
This exhibition was organized by the Louisiana Art & Science Museum and was curated entirely from its collection.
This exhibition explores the work of Alyce Simon and Eva Lee, female artist-scientists who have created experimental works of art. Each artist has taken her talents and, through interdisciplinary partnerships with the scientific community, harnessed light to create wholly original pieces.
Alyce Simon (1925–2011) created radical works of art with a particle accelerator, or “atom smasher,” which produces complex fractal patterns on plastic due to the alteration of the material’s molecular structure when exposed to nuclear radiation. This process, called irradiation, results in Simon’s works that harness light to illuminate patterns that resemble leafless trees, human lungs, and lightning strikes.
Eva Lee (b. 1965) also uses science and projected light to create her work. Lee is a regular collaborator with scientists, particularly neuroscientists. She develops new worlds in her digital animation videos, ranging from the far reaches of the world to the spaces between subatomic particles. Lee challenges ideas of perception, questioning what could exist beyond what our eyes can see.
This exhibition was organized by the Louisiana Art & Science Museum and was curated entirely from its collection.
Thank you to our sponsors
About the Exhibit
Experimental Light is sponsored by the Olin Corporation and Entergy. The exhibition is also supported by a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture Recreation and Tourism, in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council. Funding has also been provided by the National Endowment for the Arts.
Alyce Simon, “D3 (Tree of Life),” 1971. Irradiated acrylic. Gift of Tree of Life Foundation. LASM Collection, 2018.002.013.
Eva Lee, “Winter’s Veil” (still shot), 2007. Single-channel digital video. Gift of the artist. LASM Collection, 2010.005.002.
Eva Lee, “Jewel” (still shot), 2006. Two-channel digital video installation with globe. Gift of the artist. LASM Collection, 2010.005.001.
