Julius Schmiedel

Randomly Flipped Switches

  • Randomly Flipped Switches

    Light Installation for “Interference:Coexistence”, a show by the Center for Holographics Arts, NYC

    In the bustling plaza, where a cacophony of lights competes for attention amidst the chaos of urban life, my light installation emerges as a beacon of minimalism and intrigue. Suspended vertically in the windows above the entrance, fluorescent tubes flicker in a rhythmic dance, inviting passersby to pause and ponder their presence.

    At the heart of this installation lies a custom-built microcontroller, programmed with self-written software that transforms static noise into a source of randomness. An analog input, connected to a makeshift antenna, captures the ambient static, generating truly random numbers that dictate the behavior of the lights. This simple yet effective logic inverts the state of the tubes, creating a mesmerizing interplay of illumination and darkness.

    As viewers navigate the plaza—many of whom are commuters emerging from the elevated subway train—this installation serves as a cryptic enigma. It stands apart from the surrounding chaos, prompting questions and curiosity: “What is this?” The work acts as a teaser for the venue, hinting at the deeper themes explored within the exhibition while remaining distinct in its execution.

    This piece is part of a broader exploration of light controlled by random signals, reflecting my fascination with the intersection of technology and art. The experience of creating this installation was immensely rewarding, as it allowed me to distill complex ideas into a simple yet thought-provoking visual statement. Through this work, I invite viewers to contemplate the nature of randomness and the beauty of minimalism in a world often overwhelmed by noise.

  • remarkable switching operation

    from the 6th of july on, as part of the “sommerloch wuppertal” festival, a light installation is on view from dusk until dawn. on two facades of an old factory building, lights have been installed and are being switched on and off by a tiny computer running a self-written program. with this software, the lights are not controlled by  any kind of system, it is a loop of random decisions, which sometimes have no effect at all, as these decisions are made without regard to the current output.

    The following pictures show the installation with all channels in the “on” state.

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    except for the tiny computer controlling, all materials (lights, wood, etc.) have been recycled from the old building.

  • precarious switching operation

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    Labour has been brought back to the old workshop. Even from the courtyard you would hear the huge relays which have been taken out of the old production facilites. They’re being busy in memory of busy times- a signal to a country where less and less goods are getting produced.

    All parts used in the installation were stripped out of the old building.

    The installation is part of a group show called “minus eins im exil”, a project with many other students of khm/mins-1 at “sommerloch wuppertal”.