INTERVIEW Jennifer Kolb
PUBLISHED 25. FEB 2025
Niko Tiainen is a Finland-based multidisciplinary artist specializing in interactive outdoor projection mapping, video, light and sound installations.
His installations often combine conceptual ideas with abstract procedural materials, integrating structures and techniques of classical music.
// What motivated you to apply for the LICHTROUTEN? Had you heard of Lüdenscheid or the light art festival before?
I got an invitation to apply for LICHTROUTEN. I was aware of the festival and its long history, but I hadn’t visited there myself before.
// What is the name of your installation, and what is the significance of that name?
My installation is called “Iridescence.” The name comes from biology and refers to the phenomenon in which certain surfaces gradually appear to change color as the angle of view or illumination changes. Iridescence is caused by the wave interference of light in microstructures.
// Where is your light installation being created, and how do you establish a connection with the city of Lüdenscheid?
The artwork is created in Finland. Its connection to the city of Lüdenscheid is established through a database of images taken in Lüdenscheid and during the LICHTROUTEN festival. The artwork is site-specific to the old shopping mall and is interactive, allowing each spectator to create their own unique version.
// What is your concept for the light installation, and how do you approach its development?
How has the work evolved? Did you start with a completed script, or did you develop the visuals step by step?
I work mainly with interactive projections and immersive sound installations. I usually begin creating an installation with a specific theme, sentence, or word, then conduct research and create visual and musical sketches related to the subject. However, in the end, I typically let my intuition and artistic vision take the lead.
// What software do you work with? What qualities are important to you here?
I have counted that nowadays in my work, I use over 70 different software programs, but my main tools remain the same: TouchDesigner, MadMapper, Resolume, Final Cut Pro, Logic, and Affinity Designer. Versatility and stability are the main qualities I’m looking for.
// What does “exhibiting” mean to you? What role does it play for your work to find a place in the public eye?
I like to challenge myself by creating site-specific installations. Every location presents its own challenges that require unique solutions, making each exhibition different.
// What do you want from the public?
I want people to simply enjoy and explore the art without feeling the need to find an exact meaning for it.
// And finally, a more philosophical question: How do you see the relationship between art and society?
Well, this is a big question… There is an endless debate about the importance of art. Numerous studies highlight its rehabilitative effects on various problems and illnesses, its ability to make environments more vibrant and safe, its power to connect people from different backgrounds, and its role in fostering innovation in corporate settings. I think I need to quote Tadao Ando on this: “Art is important.”
// What are you looking forward to next?
I’ll try to enjoy the moment and LICHTROUTEN festival.