Behold, a mirrored obelisk awaits the sunset. This is the Light Keeper installation. During the day, it reflects the surrounding park. After dark, Light Keeper illuminates Aitken Place Park.
Light Keeper is a light-based artwork. It draws from lighthouse lenses. It also uses analog projection technologies. The installation creates spectral waves of light.
The Light Keeper was commissioned by Waterfront Toronto. Caitlind r.c. Brown, Wayne Garrett, and Studio North designed it. Light Keeper was completed in 2019.
The name Light Keeper comes from those who maintain lighthouses. Light is a medium. It sends messages across vast dark spaces. These messages help vessels find their way. They signal danger or change ahead.
Against Toronto’s bright cityscape, Light Keeper gains new meaning. It reminds us of the disappearing night sky. This is especially true in urban spaces.
Rolling rainbow waves beam across Aitken Place Park. The wind on Lake Ontario changes their speed. A moon clock mirrors the moon’s phases. Often, the city’s glow obscures the real moon.
Light Keeper speaks to complex spaces. These are between natural and manmade. They also include wayfinding and placemaking. The installation tries to capture ephemeral light. Cities often threaten to overwhelm this light.
The rainbow light invites viewers to interact. People jump over bands of light. They chase rainbow waves. The moon projections act like a dynamic spotlight. This accentuates the light play.
A prismatic lens divides light. It refracts it across the park. The light’s motion changes with the wind speed. Prototypes were created over several years. Each one improved on the last. Artists sought the perfect rainbows.
The lenses and optical mechanisms were created in-house. Caitlind Brown, Wayne Garrett, and Studio North tuned the optics onsite. They tailored them to the park’s environment.
Lake Ontario is large enough to experience the moon’s pull. Light Keeper considers this relationship. It connects lighthouses, water, and celestial events.
The installation’s structure is open-faced. It’s mirrored and prism-like. During development, the team tested prototypes at the Glow Winter Light Festival in Calgary. This helped them understand how people interact with moving light beams.
Light Keeper tries to capture and keep light. It alludes to the spaces between urban and environmental. It is a rainbow machine. It responds to the seasons and weather. It’s a signal for waves and celestial phenomena. It attempts to address light and art.
The rainbows of Light Keeper are a contribution to the radical inclusivity of public space in Toronto. It’s a humble nod to the LGBTQ2S+ community. It’s for all who love rainbows. Take a moment to bask in its glow. Let Light Keeper illuminate your night.