Sarah Kaplan Artist Research October 26, 2011 With my work I try to captivate the spectator and also catch one off guard Tamar Frank, Luxes Magazine Mexico, 2008. Tamar Frank was born 19 of May 1974 in Amsterdam. Tamar Frank currently lives in the Netherlands and most of her work resides in Denmark, Holland, and Belgium. Frank s educational background started out in theater and then finished her degree in creative therapy and monumental design fine arts at ABK Maastricht. It is interesting that she began her degree in theater design because I would say a lot of her pieces suggest that; Frank does a lot of work with colored light. Frank also spends a lot of time considering the users or spectators of the environments she creates, this could be the influence of her creative art therapy background. Light Path Crossing Light Path Crossing is located in Skolegangen Albertslund Denmark and is in a part of town where there are series of tunnels and path to separate car traffic, cyclists, and pedestrians. The tunnels and paths can be quiet confusing, so the aim of the project was to create a connection between the two levels as well as draw attention to these non- spaces and point out the interconnection between the path, tunnel, and bridges. Frank thought a lot about the users in this installation how they would engage and interact with it. Before the light was introduced the path and tunnels were unpleasant places at night, and the light creates a more enjoyable experience after dark.
Above and Below Above and Below is part of a series installation Tamar did in Albertslund, Denmark. The installation is installed in the middle of a tunnel for pedestrians, and above it is car traffic. There is a yellow cube that is the center of the installation, inside the cube there is a pyramid made of mirrors. From below pedestrians can see the car traffic and car traffic can get a glimpse of the pedestrian underneath in the tunnel. The cube also reflects the sky and the surrounding as well as harnesses the daylight into the tunnel. Dingelwig Tunnel Dingelwig Tunnel was commissioned by the Council Hoorn in Holland. Frank designed the installation to feel as though you are taking a dive into water. The tunnel goes under two bodies of water and Frank wanted the lighting to seem as though it was coming from above. There is a rhythm of lines that are closer together in the center of the tunnel and taper out at the openings of the tunnel. The fixtures in the ground consist of a blue green filter in the glass to give the feeling of water. Tamar s thoughts In an article written by Filipe Escofet in Luxes Magazine Mexico, Frank explains how she aspires to influence the viewer in her work. She speaks about how she wants the viewer to experience the body of work as purely as a child would. Another aspect Frank wishes to achieve is to influence the spectator s perception she states, The incentive is to invite the spectator to experience a heightened visual sensitivity and how this defines our sense of orientation. Frank also speaks about how she begins a project and what she tries to focus on in each project. Frank tries
to engage the urban in some aspect using visual elements to build up the environment and engage the function and history of the space. What others have said In an article written in the Vancouver Sun Newspaper, stated that Frank is following in the footsteps of American Light artists Robert Irwin, James Turell, and Dan Flavin. In another Dutch article written by Maaike Stolk, states that Tamar Frank s light installations transverse space, emphasize the forms and give the space and environment a new dynamic that that you had unconsciously perceived but not seen as a stroller in the park, an employer and visitor. How this Has influenced My work Tamar Frank is a great reference for my own work. How she engages the Urban is very interesting to me and interesting to my Thesis. I really appreciate the thought she incorporates into her projects, especially the consideration of the users of the environment.
Bibliography http://madamelamb.blogspot.com/2009/11/dan- graham- walker- art- center.html - Robert Irwin Photo http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/diary/november_2007.html James Turell Photo Escofet, Filipe O. "Las Imagenes De Luz De Tamar Frank." Luxes Magazine Mexico 2008. Luxes Magazine Mexico. 2008. Web. 24 Oct. 2011. <http://www.lightspace.org/luxesinterview.html>. Frank, Tamar. "Light Path Crossing." Light Installations by Tamar Frank. Web. 24 Oct. 2011. <http://www.lightspace.org/moreinfolightpathcrossing.htm>. Frank, Tamar. "Reflexions." Light Installations by Tamar Frank. Web. 24 Oct. 2011. <http://www.lightspace.org/moreinforeflections.htm>. Griffin, Kevin. "New 36-storey Light Art Installation Illuminates Coal Harbour." Vancouver Sun [Vancouver] 13 July 2011. Print. Stolk, Maaike. "Het Licht Van Tamar Frank." Basta Maastricht (2006). Light Installations by Tamar Frank. Web. 24 Oct. 2011. <http://www.lightspace.org/basta.htm>. Tamar, Frank. "DINKELWEG TUNNEL." Light Installations by Tamar Frank. Web. 24 Oct. 2011. <http://www.lightspace.org/more%20info%20dinkelweg%20tunnel.htm>.