Look like a rerun of X-Files? It’s not. If you’ve been around the Museum after dark recently, you may have spotted the new LED light installation in The Sutphin Fountain. Jeff Earl, head electrician at the IMA, replaced all the original white halogen lights, many submerged underwater, with the new technology. 

Red, green and blue LEDs of the 5mm type. Source: Wikipedia

A light emitting diode (LED) is an electronic light source. The first LED was built in the 1920s by a radio technician who noticed that diodes used in radio receivers emitted light when current was passed through them. The LED was introduced as a practical electronic component in 1962 (See Wikipedia). LEDs are considered more energy efficient and require less maintenance than traditional lighting. They also boast a life of about 50,000 hours–more than five years! This replacement energy concept is certainly green for the IMA’s future. The well-known Fremont Street Experience in Las Vegas uses LED technology to create its 1,500 foot light display.

The new LED technology also serves as an revenue generator. The public can request various colored lighting shows for weddings, dinners and other special events for a fee. Because the lights are run off a computer, the 17 color choices are easy to navigate between. When the NCAA was here, Jeff recalled, they requested a  blue and orange display and were very pleased with the result.

The IMA is planning several upcoming LED projects at the IMA. One of these efforts includes installing 49 energy efficient LED lights in the overlook of the Efroymson Family Entrance Pavilion of the Museum. (”Just before the Star Wars’ doors,” Jeff explained.)

Meet Jeff Earl and see time lapse footage of the LED light installation in the IMA ArtBabble video below.

This Saturday, I was looking forward to meeting Ann. I had heard about her, in the papers and on the blogs. As I approached the intersection of Mass Ave, Vermont and Alabama Streets, her glowing body beckoned me closer (think A Christmas Story and “major award”). Sensual sways hypnotized. I was fascinated by her, really.

“Ann Dancing,” by internationally celebrated artist Julian Opie, was installed in January as part of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail. Unfortunately, I missed last year’s “Julian Opie: Signs” invasion of Downtown (though our DC friends were enthralled by the Opie walk sign when visiting). You may have seen one of the 11 works of art in this series at the IMA, installed in the Efroymson Family Entrance Pavilion, called Pacing.

According to the Arts Council of Indianapolis, Ann’s LED (Light Emitting Display) concept is not new, but her clothes and dance are unique to our city. The Cultural Trail’s press release quotes Opie as saying,

“I am really happy that ‘Ann Dancing’ will be in Indianapolis and become part of the street fabric. As I sit in my studio in London, I think of her endlessly dancing for the passing traffic.”

As I sat in Starbucks and watched Ann, all four of her, dancing on the corner, I felt empathy for her. Was she lonely? Maybe bored? Living on a bike and pedestrian trail, she certainly emits an eduring energy, but maybe she would like a pair of rollerblades? A bike or a ball? How about some friends to jog with?

Perhaps this summer, she’ll come across a crowd in the mood to dance…

(Check out this public art locator for more.)