1.26 Amsterdam, Netherlands, 2012-2013

Description | Materials and Size | Video | Credits | Map

Description:

1.26 Sculpture Project at the Amsterdam Light Festival
December 7, 2012- January 20, 2013
Illumination hours: 5pm-10pm

The form and content of Janet Echelman’s 1.26 sculpture draws inspiration from the interconnectedness of Earth’s systems. The artist used laboratory data from NASA and NOAA on the effects of the 2010 Chile earthquake, and the resulting 1.26-microsecond shortening of the Earth’s day. The sculpture’s three-dimensional form is inspired by the artist’s mapping of tsunami wave heights across an entire ocean. The artwork underscores global interdependence.

Echelman’s work was the signature project of the 2012-2013 Amsterdam Light Festival, a winter celebration of light and water. Light sculptures by contemporary artists illuminated Amsterdam’s city center along the historic river and canals. Echelman’s 230-foot aerial sculpture was suspended over the famous Amstel River in front of the Amsterdam Stopera, which houses the City Hall and Muziektheater.

“In Amsterdam, the river and canals have been central to city life for the last four centuries,” said Echelman. “The light reflections on the water's surface become a focus of the sculpture here, creating an opportunity for contemplation. The sculpture invites you to pause and consider how we’re knitted into a larger fabric.”

The installation in the Netherlands was the European premiere of the 1.26 project, which has now been exhibited on three continents. It was originally suspended from the Denver Art Museum to commemorate the inaugural Biennial of the Americas in 2010. In 2011, it travelled to Australia, where it was suspended in front of Sydney’s historic Town Hall.

Materials and Size:

Spectra® Fiber, high-tenacity polyester fiber, and lighting.
Dimensions of net: 230 ft. length x 63 ft. width x 30 ft. depth.

Video:

Credits:

Art: Janet Echelman, Janet Echelman Inc.
Project Managers: Melissa Henry, Daniel Zeese
Site Engineer: David Jansen
Design Engineer: Peter Heppel Associates (Paris)
Lighting Design: Rogier van der Heide, Floriaan Ganzevoort
Photos: Klaas Fopma, Laura Taylor, Janus van den Eijnden, David Feldman

Map:

Suspended over the Amstel River in front of the Amsterdam Stopera (the City Hall and Opera House) Amsterdam, Netherlands

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