Artwork copyright Erwin Redl. Photo courtesy of the University of Washington.

Artwork copyright Erwin Redl. Photo courtesy of the University of Washington,
by Lara Swimmer (www.swimmerphoto.com and @laraswimmer).

Artwork copyright Erwin Redl. Photo courtesy of the University of Washington,
by Lara Swimmer (www.swimmerphoto.com and @laraswimmer).

Artwork copyright Erwin Redl. Photo courtesy of the University of Washington,
by Lara Swimmer (www.swimmerphoto.com and @laraswimmer).

Artwork copyright Erwin Redl. Photo courtesy of the University of Washington,
by Lara Swimmer (www.swimmerphoto.com and @laraswimmer).

Artwork copyright Erwin Redl. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017 (detail).

Nocturnal Flow, 2006

Erwin Redl
Austrian (born 1963)

Location: University of Washington, Seattle

About the Artwork

Erwin Redl's site-specific, LED light installation Nocturnal Flow covers five stories inside of the University of Washington's Paul G. Allen Center for Computer Science and Engineering atrium. The artwork emphasizes the full height of the atrium. It uses the atrium’s wall to create an enormous place of light and links the different floors and activities within the library. Redl’s installation responds to the level of light outdoors throughout the day and changes constantly. A sensor mounted on the building's roof increases the intensity of the sculpture's LED lights when the light outdoors is at its weakest—such as on cloudy days and at night. This weak light causes the sculptural installation to create a flowing wave pattern that starts at the ground floor and travels upwards. On sunny days when light is at its maximum, the LED installation is evenly lit.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with University of Washington.

About the Artist

Born in Austria, Erwin Redl is a New York City-based artist. He uses LED lights to create installations. His artworks utilize video, computer art, and electronic music to redefine interior and exterior spaces.
Redl received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Composition and a Diploma in Electronic Music at the Music Academy in Vienna, Austria. He received a Master of Fine Arts degree in Computer Art from the School of Visual Arts, New York City.