The city’s Public Art Commission and Art This Way are making sure that things are flowing smoothly down at the 77 Steps Alleyway with a new and exciting overhead kinetic light sculpture, titled Flow, inspired by Fort Wayne’s rivers.
According to its creator, James Lucey, his passion for light-based sculpture all started when he volunteered to help on a large-scale installation, and seeing people's reaction to the work touched him. He admits, “I just caught the bug.”
The sculpture is suspended overhead and created using Kaynemaile, an architectural mesh that mimics traditional chainmail but is exceptionally light and durable and will be embedded with programmable LED lights, allowing it to change with the seasons or various events.
It includes motion sensors so the public can activate light sequences through their movement and will also move with the wind as it blows through the alley.
Julia Meek discusses the scope of the work with Lucey and project director Alex Hall, and the impact of this “flowing corridor of light, movement and community” he has created.
Courtesy/Art This Way
Event Information:
Art This Way Fest
Broadway Corridor
Oct. 2-3
You can find more details about the event, and learn more about Fort Wayne's Public Art Scene at the Art This Way website.
You may connect with the artist at James Lucey Art.
This is a transcript of their conversation:
Julia Meek: James Lucey, Alex Hall, welcome.
Alex Hall: Thanks for having us.
James Lucey: Thank you.
Julia Meek: Your interactive light-based sculptures are stunning, James. Very, very briefly, what draws you to this larger-than-life medium?
James Lucey: I think it started just by, I volunteered on a few large-scale projects and just liked helping out, doing what I could.
And just seeing like people's reaction to these big things was something that touched me in a way. And I don't know, I just caught the bug. [chuckles]
I saw people enjoying these pieces, smiles on their faces, and I thought this is a cool thing. And later on, I found out you could actually do it as a job, [all laugh] and it still, it still baffles me.
So yeah, I just count my lucky stars. I get to do something like this.
Julia Meek: Yes, and lucky stars, that's a good way to say it. So, Alex, this brilliant work installed in the 77 Steps Alleyway, Flow, it's called, inspired by our own three rivers. Why is it the perfect piece and placement of it for our community?
Alex Hall: So, we know this alleyway is already saturated with murals, and it's filled with pedestrians and special events.
And it made sense to see a lighting sculpture brought to this narrow pedestrian walkway, and we're just really excited to see something that's more interactive than the previous artwork go into 77 Steps Alleyway.
Julia Meek: It is really something. So, where and how did your passion for this crazy medium evolve, James?
James Lucey: Yeah, I started working for a lighting company, Gah, maybe eight, nine years ago. And that was my introduction to light.
And then I was working on art before that. Then once I got to light, it just interested me because I was always interested in music, and light showed me this thing that was almost like an instrument, but its own thing completely.
And I'm not good at playing instruments, [all chuckle] so I found something that I could play, and that I could see, because maybe I'm just like a more visual guy, and it just went from there.
And yeah, I've just been fascinated with light for a long time now.
Julia Meek: What a great addiction that you seem to have, and a good way to describe it. Also, in full disclosure, James, people will be detecting that delightful accent you have. You were born in Ireland.
James Lucey: I was, yeah.
Julia Meek: And came here not yet deciding that you were ready to be a light artist. How did it grab you once you did get here?
James Lucey: Yes, I studied law in college and graduated. Thought that I was going to do the bar, did all my school, and I don't know. Just dawned on me at some point that I don't know. I like to make stuff. I like to build with people.
I didn't know if I wanted to be schmoozing as a lawyer [Julia chuckles] and like going in and out and doing that kind of stuff.
And I just didn't think it was possible to make stuff like this 'til I moved to California, started working on these big art projects, and then it, it became real from there. And I've just been yeah...
Julia Meek: It sucked you in.
James Lucey: Yeah, sucked me in, yeah.
Julia Meek: So how and where did James and/or his work draw your attention, Alex?
Alex Hall: So, we did a really nationwide, worldwide call for art when we were looking for a piece for this alleyway, and we had so many contenders, and the committee had a really difficult time choosing.
But James's previous work really stood out. There's some really powerful pieces in Hawaii and Burning Man, some works that we felt were really above the level of what we were looking for.
And we were excited by the proposal that was presented by James.
Julia Meek: Well, thank you for that, James, and also thank you for pursuing it, Alex. So, let's talk logistics, including but not limited to the materials.
But starting with just what is Kaynemaile, and just how satisfying or easy is it to work with?
James Lucey: It's a bit of both. [all chuckle] It's, I guess you'd say it's like an architectural mesh. Traditionally, they use it for like building facades, garages, and inspired by chain mail.
And the history of it's quite interesting. It started in New Zealand, and the Kayne, who it's named after, he was an art designer for Lord of the Rings, and they needed these sheets of armor for the orcs.
And traditional chainmail’s so heavy, takes so long, that they developed this new system, this like more lightweight now polycarbonate mesh that they could make.
And one of the characters, Strider from Lord of the Rings, used to call it Kayne's Mail. And I think that was the seed for Kaynemaile's name.
And they have some other like art applications too. What really drew me to it was its kinetic qualities. So as the wind moves through it, it's sort of this like standing wave brushes through it, and it's it's quite mesmerizing.
And when I saw that, and I thought of the rivers, and I thought of this movement, like it just, it just seemed like a perfect match.
Julia Meek: Indeed, perfect. And yes, thank you for carrying it through then and proving yourself right. And next question then: rendering an organic concept in high-tech materials, which sounds just perfect, but how much of a challenge was that? Maybe just the translation or the computation?
James Lucey: Yeah, it's it's it's kind of difficult, you know. A river and water is such an ethereal moving thing, and like to capture a snapshot of that is is difficult, which is why I liked the idea of having it slightly moving, swaying with the wind.
It's more, you know, in, in tune with using nature and embracing the the wind that's already there, and that could be a challenge for other sculptures.
I thought we could harness it because they did mention on the RFP: Warning, [laughs] there will be wind. And that was sort of what dawned on me. I was like, okay, how can we work with the wind rather than try to fight it?
Alex Hall: And I'd say one of the things that we found really appealing about this project was that during the day, the previous project didn't do a lot.
And now what we're seeing with Flow is that at daytime, when it's windy, you'll have this kinetic, mesmerizing, dynamic piece overhead.
Julia Meek: That's fantastic. And now, okay, with the goal to transform said alleyway into a flowing corridor of light, movement, and community, what makes it go?
James Lucey: The nuts and bolts, or [all laugh] yeah, I mean, we often we use a computer connected to some controllers that's running a software.
And then we have all these lights decked out across the alley, and then we can control them all individually for whatever colors we want.
You know, we can do seasonal things. We can do like light shows with music. Yeah, there's a lot of different possibilities with what you can do.
Julia Meek: And the ultimate drivers of the action are the people or the movement in the alleyway.
James Lucey: Yeah, yeah. So, we will be using some sensors that will pick up on, on movement, but that's just something you'll have to [chuckles] figure out yourself when you're there.
Julia Meek: We'll gladly take you up on that. And Alex, you're excited about the fact not only it being 24/7, 365, but all of the potential to get a direct response. How interactive can you get?
Alex Hall: Right. So, the previous piece was lovely. It had a program. It, it did light up. But this piece allows the person to impact what the art might do.
So again, this is something that you really will need to come down as an individual or as a group and experience what Flow is capable of doing.
But yeah, I think it's this interactive component that was also very appealing to the committee and something that we're excited to bring to Fort Wayne.
Julia Meek: And anybody that does come down and experience it will be a part of making it "flow." [chuckles]
Alex Hall: Exactly! Yes, you want people to be part of the art.
Julia Meek: Okay, so James, you work with Color and Light, and Oakland, California-based collective of artists and designers and engineers.
What kind of a village does it take to raise a wild and crazy piece like this, like on location, what you're doing right here, right now?
James Lucey: Yeah, yeah, we’ve we've got an extensive team that we use for this specific project right now. We have Julie and Cameron who are helping me out.
Then we have others who are working in other places. We have installs in Florida happening early next year. I have another job in New York when I get back.
So, there's a lot of moving parts, but we try and coordinate where we can. And as well as that, I'm working with some local artists too: Andrew Dubach and Olivia Perez are giving me a hand.
Julia Meek: Right here on the site?
James Lucey: Yeah, yeah, yeah. They're helping with install, and they're joy to be around, to be honest. They're both nice people.
Julia Meek: They're quite artcentric presences, well known here in town, and good.
That's got to be an exciting part of your job and your daily craziness, which sounds its own set of excitement, just to be meeting the local people, the local art, and the local art scene. In a word, what do you think of ours?
James Lucey: What do I think of your art scene? I think it's bubbling.
I mean, it seems like there's a lot going on here, and no, it's great to see. It's great to see a whole community embrace the arts. You know, I think, I think that can only be positive.
Julia Meek: Yes, and thank you for adding yours to the mix. Now, Alex?
Alex Hall: Right. As far as this project goes, I hope that it's inspiring to a lot of those people who do choose to come downtown and experience the work, interact with the work, bring family down at night.
You can also come down during the day and see it on a windy day do its thing.
So yeah, I'm, I'm hoping that this is just another good example of what we're capable of doing, and that this brings more investment and more works like this to downtown.
Julia Meek: What seems to be the word on the street? Word on the Art This Way street beat so far?
Alex Hall: Yeah, the Art This Way street beat, people are very excited about this particular work.
Art This Way is celebrating 10 years this year, so we have a huge event coming up in October on the second and third, where we're closing down Broadway.
And we're bringing music, murals, a fine art fair, Buskers, and more all to the Broadway corridor to celebrate our 10-year birthday.
Julia Meek: And then come right on over and sweep it all up and be there in the "flow" of things.
Alex Hall: Yeah! [chuckles] In the flow of things, the flow is going well.
Julia Meek: Super. Okay, now the rainy weather has been your nemesis in this project a good part of the summer and continues to mess with your completion and dedication dates, but there will be one officially.
We feel certain. [chuckles] Who do you expect and hope to see there when it happens?
Alex Hall: So, the dedication for this piece will be, hopefully the public comes out en masse to enjoy the artwork. But we do expect to see lots of city representatives.
The Fort Wayne Public Art Commission has been pivotal in making this happen and paying for this project, so they will be there.
We'll have downtown Fort Wayne, and also, like I said, hopefully you're there too, Julia, as it's happening pretty close downtown where you live.
Julia Meek: It's in my neighborhood, it's in my neighborhood!. Yes, and that's another reason for loving our city and living our city to its fullest.
Thank you for your making that something wonderful. And, and how will this change the scope of the Public Art Commission and Art This Way's direct impact on downtown interaction, especially those unforgettable experiences James and his team are guaranteed to deliver?
Alex Hall: So, this is a piece that is intended to be up for 10 years, and we hope to see more pieces like this happen.
And I think it will also expose the public to what's possible with light and what's possible with interactive pieces.
So, our hope would be that the next steps for Art This Way include temporary light-activated pieces, as well as some more permanent works of this scale. Fingers crossed.
Julia Meek: It's going to keep the Art This Way and the Public Art Commission busy enough, just catching up and, and riding its wave, if we are lucky.
Alex Hall: Yes. If we are lucky.
Julia Meek: Meanwhile, James, what's next for you and your dream team at Color and Light? The next big adventure, or the current one that you're working on?
James Lucey: [chuckles] I have a, a gig in New York when I get back, a wellness space that I'm helping deck out with some, some cool lights.
And then as a collective, we have a lot of gigs in the new year down in Florida. We're doing massive projects down there, but yeah, that's, that's all after this so I'm trying to focus on [chuckles] the here and now before.
Julia Meek: Yes! I didn't mean to open up the abyss. [all laugh]
James Lucey: No, no, no! You're, you're good. You're good.
Julia Meek: And do you ever get a chance to visit homeland, Ireland?
James Lucey: I do. I do. I try to go back maybe once a year. Now that I live in New York, it's much easier. It's a fraction of the time. California, not.
Julia Meek: Mm-hmm. It's like a whole other world.
James Lucey: Yeah, yeah. So now I get back for Christmas sometimes, see the family catch up with some friends.
Julia Meek: Good for you, and also we hope that you like to return to the scene of your artcentric crimes and you'll be back here, at least traveling through.
James Lucey: Yeah, yeah, I'll be back.
Julia Meek: Very good. I am curious, James. Do you ever work in off- formats or other media entirely?
James Lucey: I do a little bit of...I've been playing around with some like stained glass stuff.
Yeah, I kind of get just weird hobbies or weird obsessions that I like to do that's separate to my work.
So yeah, just I'm playing with stained glass now, and it still has that element of light. But I'm just like in a more playful way.
I don't, I don't need it to go anywhere. I'm just just doing it for a bit of a craft.
Julia Meek: Good for you. And if you could add another medium, like magic...
James Lucey: Yeah?
Julia Meek: ...tomorrow, sky's the limit. You would know how to do it if you wanted to do it. What would it be?
James Lucey: I think, um, master the piano would be pretty awesome. Yeah.
Julia Meek: We do too.
James Lucey: Yeah, yeah. I think if I could play piano, yeah, that would be the, the string I'd add to my bow. [all chuckle]
Julia Meek: Will you keep us posted?
James Lucey: [chuckles] Uh, don't wait on it. Don't hold your breath. [laughs]
Julia Meek: But I see the, the wheels are turning in Alex's head for the next big celebration. The next Art This Way pianist down at "the scene." [all chuckle]
So I know you've both got lots to get back to down at that very worksite.
One request before you go: a last word from each of you on the power of light, the power of public art, and the power of communities like ours that dare to embrace the unforgettable experience. Start with you, James.
James Lucey: Yeah, I think when I was doing some research about the city and reading about the Three Rivers being this place of community originally, then the city forming around that.
I think like having more spaces that are for people to hang out and to like come together is what I'm trying to do. And a lot of our best work are just like spaces where people can you know commune.
I hope that's something I can get with, with this piece where you know it's maybe an abstract version of the rivers, but maybe it has a similar effect where, yeah, there's a coming together. I don't know.
Julia Meek: Alex?
Alex Hall: Yeah, I'd say what, what we talked about 10 years ago, and what we talked about six years ago, and what we're talking about today.
It's, it's been all about how we've been able to use that power of art to connect. We're connecting spaces. We're making this a more walkable city, and ultimately, I think we've shown that it has that power.
And now it's more the hope that the community embraces it fully, keeps supporting it, and we get to talk again another 10 years.
Julia, you and I, 20 years in, and really talk about what it's done and the impact it's had.
Julia Meek: James Lucy is a light-based sculpture designer, lead artist for Flow, Fort Wayne's new public artwork, and Alex Hall, director of Fort Wayne's Art This Way.
Thank you both for sharing your story and your passion for public artworks. Many blessings keep up the really great work that you do.
James Lucey: Thank you.
Alex Hall: Thank you, Julia.
James Lucey: Thanks for having us.
