2021
2025

Glissence

Raina Tamakuwala

Raina Tamakuwala

School of Visual Arts

Hyunwoo Seo

Hyunwoo Seo

School of Visual Arts

School of Visual Arts

School of Visual Arts

2021
2025

Glissence

Raina Tamakuwala

School of Visual Arts

Hyunwoo Seo

School of Visual Arts

School of Visual Arts

School of Visual Arts

2021
2025

Glissence

Raina Tamakuwala

School of Visual Arts

Hyunwoo Seo

School of Visual Arts

School of Visual Arts

School of Visual Arts

The idea behind Glissence began with rethinking what it truly means to be "a sight for sore eyes." Often, we associate visual discomfort with harsh, blinding lights, but the strain on our eyes comes just as much from the subtle, overwhelming nature of flickering lights and a chaotic pool of colors. Imagine walking through Chinatown at night—every neon sign vying for attention, a slow yet sharp assault on the senses that can leave you with a migraine. Most times, you can't even pinpoint what triggered it. This sensory overload is not just discomforting; for those prone to epilepsy, it can be harmful. With Glissence, we explore the dual nature of flicker and color—how they can be both mesmerizing and overwhelming, beautiful yet disorienting. By working with dichroic film, we manipulate light—both artificial LEDs and natural sunlight—to create a fluid, ever-changing visual experience. Instead of sharp, jarring transitions, our installation softens the flicker, transforming it into something immersive and soothing. Through this, we invite viewers to appreciate the delicate balance between sensory stimulation and visual harmony. "Glissence" can serve as an intervention in overstimulating urban spaces by installing a net-like structure embedded with dichroic film in high-light pollution areas like commercial districts and transit hubs. This net diffuses harsh neon and fragmented reflections, softening brightness while preserving the city's vibrancy. Rather than eliminating the urban spectacle, "Glissence" offers a visual filter that transforms overwhelming light into a fluid, harmonious experience, inviting a more conscious and calming engagement with the cityscape.

Glissence