Luminous Echoes

Molly Gambardella

North Haven, CT

Lighting Designers: Mark Penisten & Ben Smith

Lighting Installers: Matt Webb & Chase Zimmerman

"Luminous Echoes" is an immersive, interactive installation within Olbrich's Bolz Conservatory consisting of more than 60 sculptures ranging in size from 2 to 9 feet in diameter. The sculptures are inspired by the diverse world of orchids and created from upcycled single-use plastics. This installation bridges the gap between the expansive orchid family—the largest among flowering plants—and humans, employing scale as a means of connection.

Inside the Installation

Materials: Single-use plastic bags, plastic litter, fiber optics, stainless steel, thread

  1. This installation features more than 60 unique sculptures, each reflecting the beauty and diversity of orchids. Their uniqueness is evident not just in their appearance, but also in the specific orchid species that inspired them.
  2. Each sculpture consists of a welded steel frame enveloped in a distinctive fabric. This fabric is produced by repurposing plastic waste through heat and pressure, transforming items like New York Times newspaper bags, Hot Topic shopping bags, and mylar balloons into a material that can be sewn.
  3. Three sculptures are particularly notable; they are directly inspired by Oncidium orchids, also known as Dancing Ladies, featured in Olbrich Botanical Gardens’ Orchid Escape exhibit.
  4. More than 150 hand-placed fiber optic strands create a captivating twinkle, bringing each sculpture to life. Programmed to light up at different intervals, these strands mimic the natural opalescence that attracts pollinators to orchids in the wild.

Artist Bio

Molly Gambardella

Molly Gambardella is an interdisciplinary artist based in Connecticut exploring the interplay among social, political, and biological systems. Her practice often results in large-scale interactive works that create conditions for collective experiences to transpire. She draws inspiration from organisms such as lichens, flowers, and horseshoe crabs, which are recurrent narratives woven into her work. In the studio, Molly repurposes small, discarded, or mass-produced items, challenging their intended purpose and conventional perceptions by reassessing the significance and impact of the mundane. Integrating elements like water, wind, light, time, and sound, her approach reflects the complex interplay between natural and artificial environments.

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