INTERVIEW Jennifer Kolb
PUBLISHED 18. JAN 2025
From diaphanous objects to immersive spaces: since the end of the 1990s, she has been developing diaphanous objects, which she calls “translucides”. The characteristic material are surfaces made of semi-transparent polyester in order to thematize the changeability of color impressions in changing light situations. She has been integrating physical light into her works since 2008. She works exclusively with red laser light in graphic systems, mostly site-specific.
// What motivated you to apply for the LICHTROUTEN? Had you heard of Lüdenscheid or the Light Art Festival before?
I’ve known the “Lichtrouten Festival” for a long time because I used to live nearby some years ago, and I always considered it an interesting festival. Last fall, Bettina saw my installation on the theme of “Apocalypse” at the MARktkirche in Essen, was impressed, and had the idea that we could collaborate at this year’s LICHTROUTEN.
// What are your conceptual approaches for the site-specific installation? What role does the location play?
Aligning my installations with the space in which they are embedded – both in terms of architectural dimensions, special features in the space, and any inherent conceptual meaning (if present) – is a central point in developing my laser installations. An installation must blend into a space like a composition within the room. In this case, I had the opportunity to develop an installation for the Erlöserkirche. Church spaces are characterized by a particularly dense atmosphere. The architecture and the entire spatial concept are charged with symbolic meaning. For this reason, it’s especially fascinating and at the same time a big challenge to embed an installation in such a space, particularly when, as in the case of the Erlöserkirche, the church space is densely filled with fixed pews. Therefore, my installations focus on the altar and the church’s vestibule, the refectory.
From the organ gallery, a beam of light focuses on the altar, while from the altar a light plane spreads out. The vestibule can only be accessed through a barrier of laser beams. Once you’ve overcome it, you can view a miniature laser installation in a glass case up close. In connection with the location, the small video created in Essen of the installations, which can be found on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPBVPZMPYSg, is interesting because there, the open church space combined with the theme of Apocalypse provoked a completely different installation solution.
// Our theme is “New Energies.” How do you see your work in this context?
The reference to the theme is hidden in the devices themselves. I work with laser light. Optically, the beams appear so intense that one would think they consume a lot of energy. However, the opposite is true. A laser device requires 250 milliwatts, meaning that four laser devices consume just 1 watt. Lasers are a technology of the future.
// What does “exhibiting” mean to you? What role does it play for your works to find a place in the public eye?
That’s an interesting question. For each laser installation, I need a space. Should I develop laser installations for my living room? Or for the basement?
My installations are aimed at the reactions of the viewers. Without the viewers’ reactions, they are worthless. I would answer this question a bit differently when it comes to exhibiting paintings. In that case, I can imagine a solitary dialogue with my paintings. But in general, I’m most interested in how the public reacts.
// And a more philosophical question: How do you see the relationship between art and society?
I’m convinced that art plays an important role in society. Art is not functional, usually even irrational, and links ideas, principles, and emotions. In the best case, art stirs something in our minds. It encourages viewers to make their own discoveries, connections, ideas, and feelings.
MARcel Duchamp said: “It is always the viewer who completes a work.” Meaning, the viewer becomes creative themselves. Creativity is an important societal potential.