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Ginny-Ruffner: Project Aurora
Date
February 9, 2024 - ongoing
Location
National Nordic Museum, Seattle
Project type
Art Exhibit, Museum
Link
Related Press
Related Press
Role
Curator
The shimmering, captivating colorful rivers of light of the Aurora Borealis become visible at the National Nordic Museum on February 9. Project Aurora is a bright wall of light, 20 feet high and 10 feet wide, made up of 34,560 individual LED lights. Shimmering sheets of colored light, drawn from images of the Aurora Borealis, are programmed to undulate across the wall of light. Microprocessors update the installation 20 times per second, creating a peak brightness of 350,000 lumens; the light equivalent of 225 traditional 100-watt bulbs. Aided by artificial intelligence, the piece captures the unpredictability of the natural phenomenon.
Artist Ginny Ruffner (1952 - 2025) worked in collaboration with Ed Fries, a prominent video game programmer and entrepreneur, and Wanda Gregory, a University of Washington lecturer and former video game professional, to evoke an experience of ephemeral beauty for viewers of the artwork.
Project Aurora was acquired for the permanent collection during the span of the special exhibit.
