Symphony 1, 2023

Chan Wan Kyn (Singapore), Linknito (USA), Linez (Morocco)

Dimensions Variable

Electroluminescent Wire, 3D Printed Resin Orchids

Symphony 1 is a light-based, omni-site architectural entity that inhabits space. A living being, its ethereal and translucent organic form populates any location.

Masses of twisting vine-like structures emit an icy glow to fill the space before sprouting into sprigs of crystalline flowers. The sprawl of its existence is a comment on space and our relationship with it, contradicting yet also enhancing the brutal denseness of urban spaces it finds itself in.

Symphony 1’s design, materials and procurement were entirely done by the artist team across the three time zones. Thereafter the international artists flew into Singapore to join Wan Kyn in weaving, hooking up all electronics and installing the entire work by hand over the course of a 5-day period. Symphony 1 was the only multi-continent installation for iLight Singapore 2023.

Process Documentation

Press Release:

Grand Lowlife Orchestra (GLO)

The Grand Lowlife Orchestra (GLO) is a global interdisciplinary, artist collective, comprising Chan Wan Kyn (Singapore), Linknito (USA) and Linez (Morocco). Drawing on diverse disciplines and spanning three continents, GLO focuses on technology-driven experimental art. The collective's multi-cultural experiences provide a rich source of inspiration and creative exploration. Their central objective is to create an inclusive network for members to further an understanding of the intersection between art and technology, irrespective of geographical or cultural backgrounds.

Chan Wan Kyn is an artist and engineer from Singapore. He is inspired by the intangible elements of his surrounding, such as negative space, light and human experience, as well as from exploring familiar and unfamiliar environments. Expressing his concepts through a variety of mediums, multidisciplinary practices, and methodologies, his works manifest themselves in myriad ways, from sculptural forms and immersive installations to digitally curated and generated works. Wan Kyn was part of the pioneer class of School of the Arts, Singapore (SOTA), and has exhibited his installations at the Singapore Art Museum (2009) and iLight Singapore 2012. He graduated with a MSc in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University with the goal of melding the arts and STEM fields. He was commissioned to produce two immersive installations for Purdue University’s orientation programme (2022) and has exhibited at INSTINC Gallery (2022), SeongSu NFT Festival (2022), and Singapore Art Week's Urban Screens (2023). Wan Kyn recently won the 2023 Julius Baer Next Generation Art Prize.

Linknito is an American experimental artist and engineer who graduated from Purdue University in 2022 with a degree in robotics and mechatronics. He pursues his work with a research and experimentation mentality, looking to engage with metaphysical and philosophical concepts using technology, alternative materials, and experimental techniques. Much of his works focus on exploring animist concepts, experimenting with creating entity art, art that seems to be alive in some capacity. In this pursuit much of his work involves concepts or robotic life and experimental art tools. Linknito has been featured in the Purdue Undergraduate Gallery multiple times, winning first prize for Arc Bot (2021), and doing live performances of Parasitic Robot (2021). He has also been featured at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates “Beauty From Disaster” Exhibit, where he won first prize for A Self Portrait In Wood (2020).

Zineb Sekkat a.k.a LINEZ is an architect, new media artist and Moroccan VJ.  She is a graduate of the National School of Architecture in Rabat, and is a self-taught new media artist.  Her artistic journey includes forays into generative visual experimentation, interactive installations, 2D and 3D video mapping and light control. The generative nature of new media art allows her art to explore countless concepts and possibilities. Coupled with her architectural know-how, Zineb has been able to visualize data, experiment with interactivity and sound, use movements to trigger visuals, and project onto architectural facades. Zineb along with a group of local artists are the winners of the second edition of the Lab Digital Maroc with the interactive installation Surveillé(e).