What happens when you start to move things with light?

Light Work is a 4 metre column hung in the 16^th century courtyard of the Archive of Aragon in the centre of Barcelona.

Two strong spotlights on the ground gently but forcefully take it in turn to strike the base of the column with their light.

Slowly at first, it moves and its not long before it is swinging almost to the top of the courtyard, as if were a pendulum being pushed higher and higher by the force of the light.

Finally, the lights manage to balance the object at its zenith, both lights holding the object in place with their force.

Light Work 2015 Andrew Chappel from Andrew Chappel on Vimeo.

Video by Dani Ruiz

Light Work is supported by the Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO) with whom the artist has spend the last year collaborating. The project was presented as part of the LLUM BCN Festival and was also supported by Barcelona Institute of Culture and the Spanish Ministry of Culture.