Willkommen im Zentrum für Internationale Lichtkunst Unna

THE FINALISTS

The International Light Art Award (ILAA) takes place for the third time, presenting the most current positions in light art with the work of its three finalists: Jacqueline Hen (*1989, Germany), Yasuhiro Chida (*1977, Japan), and the duo Dachroth + Jeschonnek (*1981,*1984, Germany).

The concepts submitted for this year’s award competition make clear to what extent the genre of light art engages with debates occurring at the nexus of art and science and explores altered states of consciousness in particular. How does light influence how we see space? What effect does the simulation of light have on our communication, our sense of well-being, and ultimately our view of the world?

THE AWARD

Almost 350 concepts from 57 countries were submitted in an open call, and an international jury of specialists then selected the three finalists. In June, this jury – consisting of Leevi Haapala, director of the Kiasma Helsinki (FIN); Barbara Könches, managing director of the ZERO Foundation (D); Alice Hinrichs, curator (D); performance artist Maria Hassabi (CYP) and art historian Wolfgang Ullrich (D) – meets once again to name the prize winner. Every two years the innogy Stiftung für Energie und Gesellschaft together with the Center for International Light Art Unna presents this 10,000 euro award which is dedicated to cultivating the genre of light art. In addition to the prize money, the finalists are also each given 10,000 euro to help them realize their concepts for the ILAA exhibition. Following the award ceremony on June 7, 2019 these three site-specific installations are on view in a joint exhibition at the Center for International Light Art through November 10, 2019.

NEW! AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD AND STUDENT EXHIBITION: THE FUTURE OF LIGHT ART

For the first time, visitors have the opportunity to vote on the concepts of the finalists as part of an audience choice award. In parallel with the main exhibition, the ILAA 2019 also offers a platform for students to test innovative approaches and for cultivating dialogue and discussion about light art. Professors and teachers from art schools in Germany, Austria, and the Benelux countries have been invited to recommend students, who then submit concept for their individual light installations. Seven concepts are selected, and each receives a budget of 1,000 euro to realize an installation. All of these contributions are dedicated to research, experimentation, and debate under the motto: The Future of Light Art. The student exhibition is on view from June 7 to August 31, 2019 at the Center for International Light Art.

INNOGY STIFTUNG FÜR ENERGIE UND GESELLSCHAFT

The foundation supports projects related to the theme of energy, and its work aims to broaden general understanding of this topic within the general public. The efforts of the foundation are geared towards creating a sustainable energy supply system for the future. The core areas supported by the innogy Foundation are: energy and education, energy and culture, and energy and social innovation.