Denver Art Museum’s current exhibit uses various light-specific properties to represent the power of light. Here, we are able to witness the unfathomable. Through different pieces such as contemporary installations, ancient sculptures, abstract paintings and photographs, The Light Show exhibit allows viewers to explore a large variety of thought-provoking ideas. This exhibit has been on display since June and will remain present through November. 

With the harsh realities existing in our communities, light may act as a revelation. It is necessary to take a moment and allow ourselves to shine light on certain wonders in order to truly reflect on our human processes. With shade, shadows, transparency and reflection being just a few of light’s properties, The Light Show exemplifies the various connotations of light, which are significant for altering individual perspectives. By playing around with these different attributes, we witness the way our eyes are able to transform typical approaches to light into day-to-day observations. 

Throw on some blue protective booties and take a journey through the hall of mirrors to transform your senses from a number of rare viewpoints. Pause for a moment and observe the light refracting all around you. Denver’s community is particularly attracted to The Light Show because of this Lucas Samaras 1970 “Corridor #2” piece. “Corridor #2” is a mirror hall that extends 50 feet long, and as you pass through the display, watch this matrix glitch and fluctuate around you. This Greek-American artist observed his own experiences and used room installations to reflect his personal conditions. With these designs, Samaras invites art lovers to take on a kaleidoscopic evaluation of oneself. 

Although “Corridor #2” presents the Denver community with an undeniable transformative statement, my favorite piece in The Light Show is “Lady Secretary, Bilingual, Will Travel…” by Nam June Paik. With this, Paik creates a robot-like figure using a number of old-school televisions, typewriter keys and payphones to embody the idea of modernism combined with the preservation of outdated media. The contemporary installation brings up a unique discussion and these clashing ideas of ancient media and light allow for profound and subjective interpretation. 

Personally, by taking a step back and reflecting on the images on these television screens, I consider the effect that media has on our society. By shining a light on this ever-changing media wonder, Paik inspires us to embark on a deep reflection regarding the impact that media has on our perspectives, specifically on oneself. With this meaningful consideration and the many properties of light, The Light Show shows respect to the ambiguousness of today’s society. By being transparent in these reflections, one can be attentive to the often-overlooked aspects of our complicated circumstances. Head over to The Denver Art Museum to be part of the mind-altering examination of our individual perspectives.