TRIPPY LIGHT GRAFFITI: VICKI DASILVA

VICKI DASILVA

While all painters and sculptors consider light as they create their works of art, artist Vicki DaSilva actually paints with light, using light as a medium instead of paint. In a concept she calls “Light Graffiti,” DaSilva creates a relationship between time, movement, and light, playing with the physicality of light as well as the shaping of spaces and perception.

Originally influenced by artists Keith Haring and Richard Serra, both of whom she knew quite well personally, DaSilva’s light graffiti works carved their own place in the world of groundbreaking iconic contemporary art. DaSilva and Haring both grew up in Kutztown, PA. She worked as Serra’s personal assistant for over 10 years. And she worked as an assistant internationally acclaimed performance artist Joan Jonas.

Man Ray and Gjon Mili are also counted among DaSilva’s early influencers. Dan Flavin, James Turrell and Banksy continue to influence her work today.

Just as paint-based graffiti is site specific, so are DaSilva’s light graffiti works. And because they are dimensional, they are really tantamount to installations.

Because they are installed on a temporary basis, and because viewers interact with them, Da Silva’s works might even be considered as performance pieces. DaSilva captures each light graffiti work in photos to create more permanent pieces.

DaSilva began making time exposure photographs in 1980 during her undergraduate fine art studies at Kutztown University. In her first experiments, DaSilva worked with a camera loaded with Kodachrome film, a tripod, a lightbulb, and a battery powered generator that she pulled around in a red wagon. She experimented with time exposures through trial and error. As she developed her vision, she coined the term “light graffiti.”

DaSilva’s first light painting was a portrait of her mom & dad in their backyard, in 1980. As her work evolved through the 80s and early 90s, she began to use 4ft and eventually 8ft fluorescent lamps to make light paintings. She continues to use those long lamps today along with a variety of hand held fluorescents.

DaSilva’s favorite time to shoot is after midnight, in the darkest hours.Her favorite place to shoot is on the streets of New York City.

Light graffiti is as much a commentary on pop culture as the paint based artform. It’s very much about life on urban streets. It is historically significant. DaSilva is also inspired by art history, contemporary art, news, & entertainment.

Antonio DaSilva, Vicki’s husband, is the engineering genius behind the art works. He serves as technical director of the team. He makes all the tools and manages the portable fluorescent lamps.

The 4 and 8-foot fluorescent bulbs are attached to a complex system of tracks and pulleys to create DaSilva’s work. It takes an enormous amount of time and effort just to set up the equipment for the light painting installations.

DaSilva’s most recent exhibition, “Allentown X 7: Photographic Explorations,” was installed at the Allentown Art Museum (2016-2017). She’s also exhibited on 13 major digital billboards of the Times Square Midnight Moment art program.

In March 2015 during UNESCO’s International Year of Light, DaSilva partnered with the humanitarian organization Oxfam International, in London’s Trafalgar Square, to create and donate her signature work to raise awareness and shine a light on the 4th anniversary of the tragic Syrian conflict.

Check out DaSilva’s upcoming exhibition at SL Gallery (September 7 - October 19, 2018).

For more information check out DaSilva’s websites LightGraffiti and VickiDaSilva.

See more amazing light paintings in our story, The Art of Orange Light Now, Beautiful Lights Make Mind-Blowing Art Now, Bodies Move with Beautiful Light Now, and Shiny Ribbons of Light Enchant Us Now

Read more about Amazing Light in Two Places with the Most Amazing Light, This Light Makes Us Look More Beautiful, These Lights Help Lift People Up, Amazing Living Lights!, Beautiful Amazing Living Lights! and Amazing, Scrumptious & Light Meringue!

And check out more beautiful things happening now in BN Mind/Body, Soul/Impact, Nature/Science, Food/Drink, Arts/Design, and Place/Time, Daily Fix posts.

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IMAGE CREDITS:

1. Image: “East River Flows.” Light Painting by Vicki DaSilva. East River Esplanade for 60 foot photo banner during Frieze art week. New York, NY.
2. Image: “Tour Paris 13.” Light Painting by Vicki DaSilva. Paris, France.
3. Image: “Grand Central Terminal.” Light Painting by Vicki DaSilva.
4. Image: “Dude Descending a Staircase (to the Vault).” Light Painting by Vicki DaSilva.
5. Image: “Resist.” Light Painting by Vicki DaSilva.
6. Image: “Silk Road.” Light Painting by Vicki DaSilva.
7. Image: “Cash Flow.” Light painting by Vicki DaSilva. Courtesy of Allentown Art Museum.
8. Image: “Act#withSyria.” Light Graffiti designed and created by Vicki DaSilva for Oxfam International.
9. Image: “Jedi Life.” Light Painting by Vicki DaSilva.
10. Image: “East River Flows.” Light Painting by Vicki DaSilva. East River Esplanade for 60 foot photo banner during Frieze art week. New York, NY.
11. Image: “East River Flows.” Light Painting by Vicki DaSilva. East River Esplanade for 60 foot photo banner during Frieze art week. New York, NY.
12. Image: “Motion to Light,” for  Red Bull Illume and Snap! Orlando Light Painting by Vicki DaSilva.