Client: Jen Lewin Studio

Overview

The Pool is an environment of giant, concentric circles created from interactive circular pads that can span up to a quarter of an acre. By entering The Pool, you enter a world where play and collaborative movement create swirling effects of light and color. As multiple users play in The Pool, their interactions become mesmerizing patterns of shifting and fading colors. Part of Jen Lewin's 'Have Art, Will Travel' program, The Pool has traveled the world since 2012. It was built and designed specifically to pack into crates and ship worldwide really easily.

Goals

To make The Pool “work” you must engage actively within the sculpture by stepping, running, jumping or even riding across the pads. The Pool is inherently interactive and creates its own form of community within the sculpture itself. The interaction varies dramatically depending on the number of individuals involved. This dynamic interaction between individuals and The Pool creates environments ranging from curious and playful with few participants to energetic and competitive with many participants.
The Pool was designed with any environment and aggressive use in mind. It's weather resistant and has been designed for such aggressive use that it has been used by more than 10,000 people in an evening and (once) driven over by a car and still works! The Pool was developed to work in any space and has been installed in the endless Nevada desert, the middle of large cities, in parks, plazas and on college common centers.

Process

Jen Lewin was inspired by tidal waves glowing in the moonlight while camping in Australia. It took nearly almost two decades for materials and technology to evolve from that moment of inspiration to a working installation. Over the years Jen Lewin pursued architecture and technology and relied on her background in art and dance to continuously evolve her medium. All of her installations come from a strong desire to capture a sense of community and the wonder of nature.

Additional Information

GRANTS & AWARDS 2015 CODAVideo Merit Award: The Pool at AHA! Light Up Clevel
2012 Honoraria Artist & Featured Exhibit: Burning Man Honorarium
2008 Honoraria Artist & Featured Exhibit: Burning Man Honorarium

EXHIBITIONS</br 2022 – Digital Garden Mount Gambier: The Pool
2022 – Illuminate Adelaide: The Pool
2022 – Industry City, Brooklyn: The Pool
2020 – Festival of Light, Southampton: The Pool
2019 – Conservatory Aglow – Columbus: The Pool
2019 – Stavros Niachros Foundation Cultural Center, Athens: The Pool
2018 – Klanglicht, Graz: The Pool
2018 – Taipei, Taiwan: The Pool
2018 – Light Yards: Washington DC: The Pool
2017 Visual Arts Week: Mexico City
2017 Taikoo li Sanlitun: Beijing
2017 BLINK Cincinnati
2017 Jing An Kerry Centre: Shanghai</br 2017 Jerusalem Festival of Lights: Jerusalem
2017 Chattanooga
2017 Hong Kong Arts Festival: Hong Kong
2016 Enchanted Forest of Light, Descanso Gardens: Los Angeles
2016 Midtown Crossing: Omaha
2016 WAVE: Light + Water + Sound: Breckenridge
2016 Design Pavilion: New York City
2016 B-Light Festival: Manama

Please see Jen Lewin Studio's website for more exhibition information.