Going to the pool will never be the same, thanks to artist Jen Lewin’s interactive The Pool, a mobile installation, which sets up shop in West Palm Beach on June 4 to July 4 as part of the city’s Summer in Paradise program. Lewin’s installations revolve around human interaction. The Pool is made up of 100 circular platforms that change colors when touched. When multiple people stand, jump or run on the platforms The Pool becomes a living and ever changing work of art. Lewin, a native of Boulder, Colorado, has been creating interactive light sculptures for the past 15 years and spoke to M&V about her latest luminary artwork.
M&V: Most of your art is dependent on people and interactions. Is that on purpose?
LEWIN: That is my intent when creating public art. I love seeing public art that connects directly to the people. Now with technology we can create works that connect to the people on a larger scale, so they have a community experience with the work and the people. You have babies, teenagers, adults and grandparents all be part of the work. That is one of the drives behind my work. My goal is for people to connect to their community for at least a second. If people walk away from the piece having experienced a connection or joy I have succeeded.
M&V: Do you intend all your works to be mobile?
LEWIN: We do traveling and mobile work. Mobile is harder. There are challenges when it comes to it. We think about the different environments, whether it’s hot or cold etc. We try to think about all of these things when creating mobile works. We are forced to design things differently. We have to really think about the piece in terms of it going around the world.
M&V: Technology plays an important part in your art. Do you use what’s already out there or are you creating your own new technology?
LEWIN: We are really pushing the forefront of technology and incorporating it so by doing it we are always on the edge of creating new things. So by continuing to create new technology we are able to be ahead of the changing world. The changes don’t scare us as long as we keep pushing the forefront of technology and pushing art.
M&V: What have you noticed in the way your work affects the way people act with one another?
LEWIN: What’s weird, and I’ve noticed this a few times, is that there will always be someone, usually a young man, who may know people there or be a complete stranger but he’ll rally everyone to start playing a game together. He’ll call out “1,2,3: Jump” and everyone will jump over and over again. The art involves into someone getting everyone to do something. Kids will also just run around, no matter if the lights are on or off. No matter where we are, country or culture, the kids will always play similar games like hopscotch or tag.
M&V: Do you have any tips for anyone planning on pursuing an art career?
LEWIN: You need to master the tools. Take classes and get trained so that you can innovate something truly innovative.
