logo

Ideal House APP

Your Go-To Interior Design Hub
HomeHome
BoardBoard
ExploreExplore
Logo
1/8

How artist Jason Krugman turns power into striking light sculptures

Jason Krugman, a New York-based artist, creates captivating light sculptures using wire mesh forms embedded with thousands of hand-soldered LED bulbs. His journey into art began after a career in investment banking, leading him to study technology and art at NYU's Interactive Telecommunications Program (ITP). There, he learned about microcontrollers, soldering, digital fabrication, and new materials, which became foundational to his artistic practice. In 2009, Krugman established his studio in Brooklyn, focusing on the intersection of physical computing and fine art, transforming electricity into remarkable sculptures. Krugman's work is characterized by its fluid appearance, despite being constructed from static materials, often mimicking natural phenomena or intricate systems like swarms of mini-drones. He has developed several proprietary technologies, including a hand-soldered LED mesh, various cable systems, and custom printed circuit boards for LED artworks, holding two US patents. His designs are unique in that they often use the physical structure of the sculpture to conduct electricity to the light sources, eliminating the need for insulated wiring. This innovation allows thousands of LEDs to appear to float weightlessly within minimal wire forms, creating a soft, ethereal glow. His recent recognition includes a LIT Lighting Design Award for 'Capella Basket,' a large-scale installation described as a rectangular sheet of 2,000 LED bulbs rolled into a cannoli-like shape and seamed. This particular piece represents a decade of development, inspired by the challenge of shaping mesh material into complex forms. The 'Capella Basket' itself was a monumental undertaking, involving over 10,000 circuit boards, extensive prototyping in collaboration with Arup engineers, and fabrication with the support of the Brooklyn Navy Yard and other local businesses. Krugman views his work as a three-dimensional puzzle, where aesthetic form is deeply intertwined with functional utility. He believes that the beauty of his art is enhanced by its ability to perform, allowing viewers to engage with it intellectually and emotionally. The sculptures are shaped by their inherent capacity to efficiently distribute electricity. The artist's approach combines craft with technology, a process he manages by always building smaller versions and mockup sections, regardless of the project's scale or edition count. Feedback on Krugman's installations frequently highlights their resemblance to scientific structures and natural forms, fostering a sense of connection and collaboration with his audience. Looking ahead, Krugman aims to create even more complex forms while maintaining structural clarity. He also plans to explore folding and stretching techniques with different materials to delve deeper into surface creation, moving beyond his current focus on points and lines. He is also beginning to offer smaller sculptures for sale on his Instagram and website, providing more accessible ways for the public to engage with his art. #LightingDesign #ArtDesign #LightSculptures #LEDArt #InteractiveArt #PhysicalComputing #ContemporaryArt #Innovation #DesignProcess #LightingDesign #ArtDesign #LightSculptures #LEDArt #InteractiveArt #PhysicalComputing #ContemporaryArt #Innovation #DesignProcess
No comments yet
Designers showcase creative lighting solutions at recent exhibit
Designers showcase creative lighting solutions at recent exhibit
An Otherworldly Garden of Lights Emerges from Hemp and Resin by Ross Hansen
An Otherworldly Garden of Lights Emerges from Hemp and Resin by Ross Hansen
Fits & Folds: Dana Harel Unveils Sculptural Lighting Collection
Fits & Folds: Dana Harel Unveils Sculptural Lighting Collection
lighting design Archives
lighting design Archives
Graypants’ Scraplights Transforms Cardboard into Elegant Lighting
Graypants’ Scraplights Transforms Cardboard into Elegant Lighting
Formations In Nature Inspires Sculptural Clusters of Light
Formations In Nature Inspires Sculptural Clusters of Light
13 Lighting Trends to Brighten Your Home in 2024
13 Lighting Trends to Brighten Your Home in 2024
Art or design? Johannes Budde blurs the lines with LITE
Art or design? Johannes Budde blurs the lines with LITE
10 Brutalist-Inspired Lighting Fixtures Making A Bright Statement
10 Brutalist-Inspired Lighting Fixtures Making A Bright Statement
minimal, sculptural, and industrial, david weeks unveils limited edition lighting fixtures
minimal, sculptural, and industrial, david weeks unveils limited edition lighting fixtures
5 Lighting Trends That Our Editors Think Will Be Everywhere in Early 2025
5 Lighting Trends That Our Editors Think Will Be Everywhere in Early 2025
These 6 lighting trends are set to be big in 2026
These 6 lighting trends are set to be big in 2026
These hanging light sculptures bloom like flowers
These hanging light sculptures bloom like flowers
9 Statement Lighting Fixtures With Creative Verve
9 Statement Lighting Fixtures With Creative Verve
Lodes and the light as a design material
Lodes and the light as a design material
Lighting installations by Katelyn Aslett
Lighting installations by Katelyn Aslett
You Hung the Art — Now Light It Like a Curator Would (Here's How)
You Hung the Art — Now Light It Like a Curator Would (Here's How)
I'm a Design Editor and These Are My Favorite Light Fixtures Right Now
I'm a Design Editor and These Are My Favorite Light Fixtures Right Now
Dynamic perspectives: a lamp that transforms with every angle
Dynamic perspectives: a lamp that transforms with every angle
Kendall Jenner's light follows a growing celebrity trend
Kendall Jenner's light follows a growing celebrity trend