A few days ago we talked about glowing bed sheets furnished with advanced optical fibers. However, this time we have something which is a tad bit on the conventional side, albeit smeared with dollops of artistic innovation. The ‘glowing’ conception in question is a humble public bench, but the scope is not just limited its mundane public usage. Chilean artist Ivan Navarro has collaborated with French sculptor Courtney Smith to completely refurbish the public benches to present them as definitive and symbolic specimens of public art.
Conceived as exhibitionist designs for the Art Basel Miami 2012, the illuminating effect of the above pictured benches were achieved by neon strips. In fact, according to the designers, these neon lights were used more as a symbolic vehicle rather than the obvious effect of the conspicuously glowing visuals.
This inherent symbolism has more to do with the contrast of materials giving shape to the bench. The sturdy cast iron supports are enticingly connected by the seemingly fragile neon sticks. This sort of creates a contradictory scope, much like the aesthetic functionality of other structures (like fluid glass facades connecting the imposingly solid concrete columns in gigantic skyscrapers). In a broader sense, the benches go against the pre-conceived role of public furniture, by combining this artistic conflict into its core framework.
Now at the end of the day, the question might still linger: will the ordinary park visitor comprehend all this heavy stuff of symbolic contradiction? In any case, the Illuminated Benches are not too shabby on the eye candy factor, thus fueling their daily degree of usage.
Via: DesignBoom
