Artists

Manuel Baez

Associate Professor of Architecture

Carleton University

Ottawa, ON, Canada

ManuelBaez@cunet.carleton.ca

Statement

The Light Keeper is a permanent ceiling installation for the Centre for Aboriginal Culture and Education (CACE) at Carleton University. The ceiling installation is envisioned as an interconnected, woven assembly and support structure made of bands of Baltic birch plywood with coloured wire-mesh highlights. It was generated from the inherent properties of the materials used, such as the pliable properties of the thin bands (one size unit) and their possible shapes, structures and interweaving combinations. The Ceremonial Space ceiling design is based on the four cardinal directions of the Sacred Circle, their corresponding elements, and their associated colours. One sculpted unit will be exhibited with photos of the overall installation.

Artworks

Image for entry 'Light Keeper installation Ceremonial Space'

Light Keeper installation Ceremonial Space

60 x 60 x 60 cm

Birch plywood, folded and coloured wire-mesh.

2015

One detail unit will be displayed and those are the dimensions indicated. The ceiling design was generated from the inherent properties of the materials used with no pre-conceived designs or drawings other than what emerged out of the haptic exploratory process. After exploring the pliable properties of the thin plywood bands and their possible shapes, structures and interweaving combinations, specific configurations and dimensions extracted from this process led the overall design. The wire-mesh was folded similar to an origami Miura pattern and its inherent pliability was shaped according to design related themes with added colours. The most extensive shaping of the folded mesh was done in the centre area that glows brightly when lit.
Image for entry 'Light Keeper ceiling installation details'

Light Keeper ceiling installation details

60 x 60 x 60 cm

Birch plywood, folded and coloured wire-mesh.

2015

Details of units making up the overall installation composition. The yellow circular unit on the left will be displayed and its dimensions are the ones indicated. The design was generated from the inherent properties of the materials used with no pre-conceived designs or drawings other than what emerged out of the haptic exploratory process. After exploring the pliable properties of the thin plywood bands and their possible shapes, structures and interweaving combinations, specific configurations and dimensions extracted from this process led the overall design. The wire-mesh was folded similar to an origami Miura pattern and its inherent pliability was shaped as indicated.