Stop-motion sequence created through long-exposure photography, captured using a mechanical plotter equipped with LEDs (custom hardware). Custom software and hardware.
Link is a series of 28 generative stop-motion loops, with each sequence comprising between 32 and 224 individual long-exposure photographs. Each frame of the sequence is obtained through a long-exposure capture (~30 seconds) of a vertical LED array in motion, resulting in precise, three-dimensional light-trail geometries. The custom hardware system combines several synchronised elements: individual LEDs that can be programmed for specific colours and brightness levels; an XY plotter with a 30×30cm range that controls the position and movement of the LED array; captured with a DSLR camera in bulb mode. All components operate within a light-controlled black box environment, controlled by custom software that synchronises the camera shutter, plotter movement, and LED behaviour. Each frame takes around 1 minute to be produced, with a complete loop taking several hours.
The geometric compositions made of light and movement appear to float in a dark environment, where the reflections of the shapes are visible on the ground/floor, exposing the physicality of these ephemeral forms.
This process and its accompanying research were developed for a commission by organisers of an Italian electronic music festival, though the event was ultimately cancelled. The initial concept (from 2012) included a large-scale installation using a custom system with industrial cranes. The research continued independently and extensively, resulting in the series Link.
To maintain the photographic origin of the project, the playback of each edition is handled by a custom script that sequences the individual images. The scale, direction, and speed can be modified interactively.
Each edition contains two image sets:
Full-resolution images, direct from the camera sensor, only slightly cropped, with metadata intact at 4000px per side.
A smaller, lighter version at 1400px for smooth playback.
i toggle info space toggle pause ↑↓ zoom ←→ step / change direction s save image R full resolution r default resolution f full-screen
Exhibition history:
2024 Paris Photo Art Fair, Nguyen Wahed (Lumen Prize Winner for Best Booth)
Minting page:
highlight.xyz
Secondary market:
opensea.io
A big thank you to:
Mimi @nguyenwahed
Nat @Highlight_xyz
Ishan @rekdaus