Stephen Knapp (1947-2017) was an American artist working with a light, glass, metal, mosaic, ceramics and stone. He is best know for his lightpainting-works where he utilises stained glass and light. The technique developed by Knapp allows for almost infinite variations that has since been explored by many artists.
The work discussed was The Definition of Possible (2014) which Knapp realised on the concrete facade of the Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester Massachusetts (USA). The artwork was commissioned to showcase the marriage of art, technology, science and innovation. During the day there is an ever changing movement of color, depending on Sun’s position and weather. The slow change in how the artwork appears gives the it a strong sense of playfulness, which is especially suitable for public art. During the night the still composition is based on electric light. The large scale public artwork is simple and subtle in its interaction with the ever changing light environments we inhabit.
The dichroic glass lends itself as beautifully to the artificial light as the sun, and a main topic of the discussion was what light artworks look like during the day and how important a question this is especially for permanent public art.
2015:
The Bascom, Highlands, NC
2014:
Louis K Meisel Gallery, New York, NY
Bernarduci/Meisel Gallery, New York, NY
Polk Museum of Art, Lakeland, FL
2013:
Alexandria Museum of Art, Alexandria, LA
The Lowe Art Museum, Miami, FL
Art Southampton 2013, Southampton, NY
Miami International Art Fair
Art Palm Beach 2013