Slices of the Sun is a thought-provoking installation that explores the concept of perception and the ways in which it can be distorted through digital media. Through the use of interactive elements and immersive experiences, the artist invites audiences to consider the ways in which their understanding of reality can be influenced by external factors.
The installation is inspired by the effect of atmospheric refraction on sunset and sunrise, specifically the advanced sunrise and delayed sunset phenomena. These phenomena occur when the Earth’s atmosphere acts as a lens, bending light and altering the appearance of the sun on the horizon. The artist uses this concept as a metaphor for the ways in which our own perceptions can be altered by external influences.
The installation consists of four rooms that audiences can experience in sequence. As they enter the first room, they are presented with a timelapse of the sun taken by a space telescope, which is projected onto a screen alongside five rotatable mirrors. Audiences are invited to interact with the mirrors, altering the image of the sun and creating a fractured, distorted effect.
In the second room, the fractured image from the first room is projected onto a screen using three different projectors, each projecting one of the RGB channels. As audiences pass in front of each projector, they block one of the channels, resulting in an even more distorted image of the sun.
The third room is completely dark, and the image from the second room’s screen is passed through a small hole and projected onto a screen, appearing upside down. Finally, in the fourth room, the image from the third room is digitally captured and displayed on a monitor.
Through this immersive experience, the artist invites audiences to consider the ways in which their perceptions of reality can be influenced and distorted. By using the metaphor of atmospheric refraction and the advanced sunrise and delayed sunset phenomena, the artist encourages audiences to question their own understanding of the world and to consider the role that external factors play in shaping their perceptions.
Overall, Slices of the Sun is a powerful and thought-provoking installation that encourages audiences to consider the ways in which their perceptions of reality can be influenced and distorted. Through its immersive and interactive elements, the artist invites audiences to engage with the concept of perception and to question their own understanding of the world.