Rembrandt in his Studio: a Cross-Species Installation for the Brids

Abstract

"This public art project is an installation where birds and humans can share in a visual experience unique to a non-human species. Using the idea that birds see in the ultra-violet spectrum, a low-spectrum violet that humans can’t see. A reactive vinyl material adhered to a glass panel appears to be clear to humans but birds perceive it to be deeper than deep violet. When the artist adds a pigment reactive to UV rays, humans can approximate the color birds see all the time, but only when the sun is shining. Rembrandt is a red-tail hawk that visited the exhibition from a local rescue center. He came to share in the art experience with humans. The vinyl is digitally cut using an algorithm to capture natural bird patterns, including flocking patterns. This will hopefully better attract Rembrandt to the art.

The more the sun shines, the more humans share color with the birds."