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Flux Factory’s new exhibit brightens the evening

By Gabrielle Prusak

The Long Island City Community Gardens on 49th Avenue have been attracting residents after dark lately to a new interactive light installation.

Flux Factory, LIC’s artist incubation laboratory, created “Nightlight” as a completely solar-powered, garden-spanning piece developed by artists, builders, computer programmers and even hackers.

Among the sights throughout the greenery are photographs of people climbing that are projected onto the walls of neighboring buildings, which create an illusion with lights. There are also places within the garden where people can sit down and trigger a light to flicker on or even create a movable light show nearby.

“Every time you sit in a spot, something falls from a tree or lights will go on,” Carnia Kaufman, co-organizer of the exhibit, said. “Lots of things need to be triggered, but there are a lot of interactive things you can do.”

Kaufman said the idea for event was to create a public space where artists could engage with an audience while showing off their works.

According to co-organizer Alex Nathanson, “finding a space was the biggest” challenge they faced.

“It took a couple of months walking around the neighborhood and talking to people in the Long Island City community,” he said.

One of Flux Factory’s goals for the project was to find a location that people would not normally use at night. That way, organizers said, residents would discover the art installation and step inside someplace unexpected.

Another issue that occurred was trying to figure out how to power the artists’ pieces in an environmentally friendly way.

“The entire show is solar powered,” said Nathanson.

The Flux Factory was able to fund this event by grants from the city Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, the Andy Warhol Foundation for Visual Arts and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the state Legislature.

This show will continues until June 28 with a closing performance by artist Merche Blasco.

During the time the event is going on, people within the area will be able to access Wi-Fi and post photos and comments about the function.

“It will be open every evening after sunset,” said Kaufman.

If You Go

“Nightlight”

When: Through June 28, nightly beginning at dusk

Where: Long Island City Community Gardens, 49th Avenue between Vernon Boulevard and 5th Street, Long Island City

Cost; Free

Contact: (347) 669-1406

Website: www.fluxfactory.org