"Light comes to us unexpectedly and obliquely. Perhaps it amuses the gods to try us. They want to see whether we are asleep." — H.M. Tomlinson
Inspired by this quote, FULCRA is a set of two light pieces meant to explore the ways in which light “comes to us”. The two pieces each explore a different general phenomena — one reflects, and one refracts. The pieces are meant to be set in a windowsill, and to interact with natural light.
The name, FULCRA, refers to the fact that both reflection and refraction are surface phenomena of light. Reflected light bounces off at the angle it comes in at, with the reflecting surface acting as the fulcrum of the bending beam of light. Refraction happens when light waves change speed as they enter a medium, with the surface of the medium acting as the fulcrum.
Each piece is in constant but calming motion, with the slow turning of motors and interaction of mirror and prism with the light in the surrounding space. Each piece is also fitted with a small incandescent bulb, to be lit at night.
The two pieces throw and bounce their light around the room — the one producing an ever-shifting rectangle or reflected sunlight, and the prism creating a small rainbow racing from wall to ceiling to wall, the light always coming and going. Trying us.
