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Neon Delight June 26th, 2009
2007 Fluo Square Orange/Blue
© Copyright Christian Herdeg
For forty years, Christian Herdeg has been working with electric light, and until recently has focused on one specific kind of technological light production: light tubes containing noble gasses. Generally known as neon tubes, these light systems comprise hand-made, thin glass tubes with electrodes at each end. The basic colour of the discharged light depends on the type of gas used. The physiochemical colour spectrum can be expanded by coating the glass tubes with a type of fluorescent powder or by using coloured clear glass. In the mid-seventies, Herdeg collaborated with chemists from Heidelberg’s phosphor factory to ‘compose’ over two hundred of his own fluorescent powder mixtures, a finely graduated electric light ‘painting palette’ that opened the door for hightly differentiated designs.
The different ‘aggregate states’ and above all the spatial dimensions of light and colour have always been central to Christian Herdeg’s art. From the late seventies onwards, light layering and light measurement are crucial aspects in his work. The colour contrasts, the light intensity and the subtly balanced gradations of each light colour all depend on precise use of technology - which, however, is never an end unto itself. It is never used solely because of its semantic potential or to showcase the range offered by technology. Instead, it is harnessed to shape the light pictures.
Christian Herdeg’s projects for public spaces reveal another key characteristic of his work; his use of light as a medium includes natural light and any lighting conditions unique to an art work’s setting. The artist expressly intends his art to be effective as an artistic form and as a spatial configuration under various different lighting conditions. Gallery rooms, generally darkened, are only one possible setting. Work groups from the past ten years, usually comprising wall-mounted artworks, have taken this principle even further, giving Herdeg’s art work a pictorial presence in normal light conditions.
Christian Herdeg’s work can be roughly divided into two categories. On the one hand there are the large and elaborate installation-type art works, generally connected with ‘Kunst und Bau’ commissions or public spaces. On the other hand, there are his wall objects and smaller sculptures, which have a certain ‘chamber music quality’. These two modes allow the artist to illuminate certain issues in more than one context and from different perspectives, as can be seen by the interrelationships within the works themselves. Herdeg’s most recent works have a different focus; in these, he is inspired by the presence and expressiveness of light lines.
The ‘Kunst und Bau’ art works from the past ten years perfectly illuminate the pragmatic, research-orientated side of Christian Herdeg’s art. In these projects, he expands his working media by including fluorescent tubes and LEDs as light sources and using computers to control these and to regulate their colour and intensity. The colour gradients, overlapping, flowing light transitions and above all the colour movement viewed over time are created by a complex working process - testing technological solutions in the studio, carefully trying out the effect thus created in the actual location and utilising years of accumulated knowledge of light and space.
From 27th June up to 26th October 2009 you can visit the exhibition Neon Delight from Christian Herdeg.
Centrum Kunstlicht in de Kunst is open Tuesday to Sunday inclusive from 12.30 till 16.30 hrs.
2008 Cobalt/UV Black
© Copyright Christian Herdeg
1975/2006 Boundless
© Copyright Christian Herdeg
