Reflection of light as a methodology for new lumia

In this paper, Trent Kim proposes reflection of light as a practice-based research methodology to understand the art of lumia by Thomas Wilfred and to create new lumia works. Thomas Wilfred was unable to declare whether lumia is painting or music, but his art already speaks for itself to firmly claim its status as the art of light. Trent Kim argues that reading lumia requires our anchorage on the medium of light itself rather than its derivative image projection. The irreducible depth of the Clavilux machine distinguishes it from a picture frame; and the rear projection screen found in automated Clavilux machines is not a cinematic space, but rather a frosted window through which we begin to imagine the architecture of light, hidden inside the enclosed space. The current lumia research primarily focuses on Wilfred’s automated/recorded lumia works and its aesthetic style of projected imagery, yet, this approach discriminates Wilfred’s other types of lumia works which were live performances or outdoor installations. Trent Kim’s research enters into the architecture of light and reveals the ontology of light in the combination of its form, glare, heat, colour, density, fluidity and depth by playing reflectors.