Nest

2005
Installation

6 Elstein ceramic dark infrared emitters,
200m silicon cable

36 white elements made of ceramics are hanging from the ceiling. At first glance they might appear as lamps, yet they do not emit any light. Nothing can be seen. This work engages not our visual sense but other ways of perception. When passing underneath the units, a warm radiation can be noticed. This heat sculpture does not work when left alone. Infrared radiation only warms up objects absorbing the radiation. The air in the room is not affected and is not getting warmer.

"My contribution with the title Nest I had already in my mind for a long time however it took its final shape only in the course of the preparation for this exhibition. Nest is operating by and with infrared radiation. We cannot see infrared radiation. It is nothing but radiation. White elements made of ceramics are hanging down the ceiling. As they do not radiate any light initially we do not know what it represents exactly. When subsequently passing underneath we notice warm radiation – it is a kind of heat sculpture. Not the air in the room gets warmed up but the user. All alone by itself this heat sculpture does not work. As I had concentrated
earlier very much on the subject of optical perception I found it fascinating to develop something that cannot be seen."
Interview, Verena Kaspar with Judith Fegerl

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