Speirs Major

Traces

Preservation is an act of memory; an act to immortalise.

Cyanotype printing uses photosensitive paper to preserve and capture. It traces a moment, an object or even time of day; activated by UV light hitting the surface.

This piece reflects a collaborative effort to preserve. In this case plants found in Haggerston Park, which had fallen or dumped and left to die. The tones and organic impressions left by the plants upon the paper celebrate its innate character and fragility. It celebrates the natural beauty within a living object we often pass by and neglect daily.

This work did not just capture light in a moment but recorded it over a period of time, the play of shadows creating depth through blurred and sharp edges.

Thinking about the effect that light over time had in making of this work also highlights the importance preserving artworks over time from light with careful consideration of lux hours and appropriate gallery lighting.

Becoming Roots, Jessica Zanotto

If only light could harness the same energy that plants use to grow and withstand wind.

If only light could communicate with the natural world around it and, together, slowly reveal the changing seasons and its rhythm, embracing the sense of slowness as a way of welcoming people and creatures, bringing them together and inviting them to linger.

Let’s bring hope.

The event was a success, with a very impressive collection of work from across the industry, a beautiful setting with a band and delicious food, and a surprise appearance of Jessica over from Italy! It was a great opportunity to catch up with the Stoane Lighting team in person and meet some of the behind-the-scenes staff too.