About
Interstellar will showcase nine works from light sculptor Leo Villareal’s Nebulae series. Using LEDs and custom software, Villareal delves into the realms of space, time, and perception. His artistic practice belongs to a tradition that intertwines nature, technology, and human experience. The sculptures emit a hypnotic, diffused light, drawing inspiration from celestial imagery and capturing the dynamism of space through their interplay of colors and shapes. Each artwork features a unique sequence created through generative code, ensuring that no two sculptures are alike.
The exhibition includes selections from Villareal’s NFT (non-fungible token) series, Cosmic Bloom, which reflects the ordered randomness found in nature, starting with simple geometric forms that evolve into complex, dynamic layers. These layers result from a blend of human control, engineering, and chance, highlighting the intersection of art and technology.
Leo Villareal is renowned for his large-scale, site-specific light installations. Notably, he is creating Evanescent Field, a light sculpture which will illuminate the Figge Art Museum facade in 2025. Once completed, it will be the largest public artwork in Iowa. Villareal’s prominent works include The Bay Lights on San Francisco’s Bay Bridge, Illuminated River in London, which connects nine bridges through a single artwork, and Multiverse, a volumetric installation connecting the East and West buildings of the National Gallery of Art.
Our Sponsors
Premier Sponsor: Andy & Debi Butler
Supporting Sponsor: The Current Iowa and Hotel Black Hawk
Contributing Sponsors: Kay K. Runge KK Runge Associates Wynne and David Schafer Schafer Interiors Xenotronics Company
Media Sponsor: Quad Cities International Airport