Heidi Stålnacke: The Heartbeat

Light sculpture made with mixed media.

The artwork describes the heartbeat of the earth, at the same time mirroring the human-nature relationship.

The image surface is made of disposable straws. The material was especially relevant the working process because the EU had finally decided to ban the production disposable straws and also other plastic disposable cutlery. The artist has received material for her works, e.g. from food companies. If the product's packaging breaks in the store, it is no longer sellable.  

Stålnacke is particularly interested in transparent plastic surfaces and how light reflects from them. Plastic is a contradictory material: at the same time distressing and interesting. There is also a hidden ancient light in plastic. The most common raw material for plastic is petroleum. Over a long period of time, oil has been created from prehistoric plants and marine organisms that have been buried under stratified soil. The chemical energy of fossil fuels, such as petroleum, is solar energy collected by the vegetation of the early days of the earth. 

The artwork is not only a comment on the state of the world, but also a call to take better care of our planet. 

Light sources, materials, and equipment:  
Led tubes. Recycled plastic and recycled metal.

Dimensions of the work, approximately (width-height-depth): 
79x60x16 cm

Electricity consumption:
Standard mains current (10A/16A).

Does the artwork use sound?
No sound.

Support and other structures:
The work needs support structures, hanging points, or similar.

Structures, hardware, or other equipment needed from the client: 
Hanging with screws on the wall.

Minimum height of the space:
1 m

Minimum square meters of the space:
1 m2

Requirements for the space: darkness, temperature, colouring (light / dark / specific colour / other) etc.:
Indoors art.

Building time and people required (estimate):
Building time max 30 minutes. Installation may require two people beacause the art work is quite heavy.

Artist's presence:
Guidance can be provided for building.

Seen before at:
BUB. Oulu Museum of Art. 2017/2018.

CONTACT INFORMATION

BLAF Best of Light Art in Finland
is hosted by
Finnish Light Art Society FLASH
2877700-6
LightArtFi

Producer: Annukka Ketola
annukka.ketola@valotaiteenseura.fi
+358 40 735 3972

Curators:
Mia Kivinen / mia.kivinen@valotaiteenseura.fi
Anna Björklund / anna.bjorklund@valotaiteenseura.fi

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