Portfolios – Jen Lewin Studio

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Atlas At Discovery Green

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Mingle With Moths Among The Oak Trees In Houston’s Discovery Green

Atlas

Atlas, Jen Lewin Studio at Discovery Green 2024, Photo By Nicki Evans

Atlas – 2024

About Atlas

Atlas is a new interactive sculpture featuring 24 hanging moths. Inspired by the shapes and wing patterns of 24 endangered moth species in North America. Just as moths are naturally drawn to light, visitors will be attracted and captivated by the flowing light and harmonious sounds from each moth’s body. As they move beneath the suspended moths, they can interact with and transform these elements, creating a dynamic and immersive experience. Atlas is part of Jen Lewin’s Moth Series, which began with her first interactive moth creation in 1999, celebrating the beauty and fragility of these creatures. Connecting these endangered moth species to a global worldview highlights the balance of our ecosystem and the interconnectedness of life on Earth. By drawing attention to these delicate creatures, Atlas encourages viewers to consider their role in preserving the natural world and the importance of global ecological awareness.

Creating Atlas

Atlas was meticulously crafted by hand at our studio in Brooklyn, New York, showcasing an intricate blend of art, science, and technology. The hand-bent aluminum frames form the foundation of this work, while the graphics were developed using research on endangered species. Scientific images were used to train an AI model, generating high-definition graphic versions of these moths. These visuals were further refined in Adobe Suite to achieve the precise colors and patterns desired. The designs were UV-printed on durable materials and then enhanced with hand-painted UV-reactive pigments, bringing each piece to life. Once completed, the components were carefully assembled and rigorously tested in the studio. Hundreds of unique soundscapes, created by Jen Lewin, accompany each species, allowing viewers to trigger dynamic sound and light interactions as they walk beneath them. The colors were designed to harmonize with the surrounding environment, while the soundscapes seamlessly integrate with one another, creating a symphonic experience that connects each element of the installation.

Atlas (noun):

Refers to the Atlas moth (Attacus atlas), one of the largest and most striking moths in the world. Named after the Titan Atlas from Greek mythology, who was condemned to hold up the sky for eternity as punishment from Zeus, the Atlas moth is renowned for its impressive wingspan, vibrant colors, and intricate wing patterns. The name also refers to the globe, as Atlas is often depicted holding the world on his shoulders, symbolizing the moth’s expansive and impressive presence. This species exemplifies strength and grandeur, much like its mythological namesake, emphasizing its imposing size and remarkable appearance.

Endangered Species List: All of these moths are North American species currently listed as endangered.

Arefacta Flower Moth – Schinia arefacta (Endangered: 2012) – GA, FL
Barrens Metarranthis Moth – Metarranthis apiciaria (Endangered: 2005) – (MA, CT, IL, ID) USA
Blanchard’s Sphinx Moth – Adhemarius blanchardorum (Endangered: 1995) – TX
Bog Buck Moth – Hemileuca maia menyanthevora (Endangered: 2023) – New York, and Ontario, Canada
Bowman’s Tiger Moth – Apantesis bowmani (Endangered: 2002) – CO, UT, USA
Chinati Sheepmoth – Hemileuca chinatiensis (Endangered: 2000) – TX, USA
Dark Stoneroot Borer Moth – Papaipema duplicatus (Endangered: 2022) – AR, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MO, NC, OK
Dark-banded Flower Gem Moth – Melaporphyria immortua (Endangered: 2004) – MI, + Canada
Double-tufted Wasp Moth – Didasys belae (Endangered: 2020) – FL, AL
Fabulous Green Sphinx Moth – Tinostoma smaragditis (Endangered: 1986) – Kauai, HI
Half-banded Bryolymnia Moth – Bryolymnia semifascia (Endangered: 2006) – CO, UT, AZ, NM, USA
Kern Primrose Sphinx Moth – Euproserpinus euterpe (Endangered: 2011) – CA
White-streaked Lichen Moth – Cisthene conjuncta (Endangered: 2002) – TX, USA
Manitoba Oakworm Moth – Anisota manitobensis (Endangered: 2011) – North America, primarily Manitoba
Michigan Dune Dart Moth – Copablepharon michiganensis (Endangered: 2007) – MI, WI
Okefenokee Zale Moth – Zale perculta (Endangered: 2004) – FL, GA, SC, USA
Patagonia Eyed Silkmoth – Automeris patagoniensis (Endangered: 2000) – AZ, USA
Prominent Moth – Cecrita franclemonti (Endangered: 2001) – AZ
Rosy Tiger Moth – Lophocampa roseata (Endangered: 2017) – WA and Canada
Royal Moth – Syssphinx blanchardi (Endangered: 2000) – WA and Canada
Swallow Moth – Feralia meadowsi (Endangered: 1987) – USA
Underwing Moth – Catocala caesia (Endangered: 2019) – AZ and NM, USA
Velda Pinemoth – Coloradia velda (Endangered: 2000) – CA
Zephyr Eyed Silkmoth – Automeris zephyria (Endangered: 2000) – NM, TX

Grants, Awards & exhibits

EXHIBITIONS
2024 – Discovery Green, Houston, TX Atlas

Houston Public Media
Atlas and Art Lab Mentorship

Jen Lewin Talks About Atlas
Art Lab Mentorship

Myco

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Myco, 2024

Inspired by the interconnected communication of fungi “Myco” an interactive collection of mushroom drums that has spawned in Downtown Doral, FL. Created from recycled and upcycled plastic, from the original 2008 “ Pool”. Each “Myco” Cap lights up and resonates in harmony when touched, reflecting the symbiotic relationships within fungal networks.

Myco: meaning Mushrooms or Fungus, derived from Mycology, the branch of biology studying fungi, their taxonomy, genetics, biochemical properties and use by humans and Mycorrhizae, the symbiotic association between fungi and plant roots.

“Myco” is an immersive environment of mushroom drum sets, meticulously scattered across Doral Pocket Park in Florida. During the day, the sculpture’s works as a drum set, each mushroom having a different sound to allow for an orchestra of sounds across each cluster.

At night, “Myco” comes to life with full illuminated interactivity, engaging individuals and groups in collaborative play. Having the interactive sound and light technology combine to play and manipulate both wavelengths together. To play “Myco” users must actively touch the mushrooms. This inherent interactivity creates a unique community within the sculpture itself.

“Myco” is set to open to the public in 2024, offering an immersive and sustainable art experience that blends technology and nature in a geometrically intricate and environmentally conscious manner that resonates to connect play across all ages.

Grants, Awards & exhibits

Myco, by Jen Lewin -Permanent Sculpture for Doral Pocket Park, FL

Phronesis

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Phronesis, 2024

“Phronesis”[ froh-nee-sis ] [noun]“to think, be minded, be wise”

Grounded In The Past: Phronesis is a new dynamic illuminated site-specific sculpture by Jen Lewin, created for the Cincinnati Public Library. In this work, Lewin looks both into the past and the future. Inspired by the research of Dr. Stephen Bertman, a professor of Languages, Literature, and Cultures at the University of Windsor in Canada, Lewin crafted eight large illuminated sculptures, each representing a guiding principle of ancient Greek wisdom: Humanism, The Pursuit of Excellence, The Practice of Moderation, Self-Knowledge, Rationalism, Restless Curiosity, The Love of Freedom, and Individualism. These principles and their ancient roots remind us of the vast breadth of human knowledge, curiosity, and history, much of which is preserved and shared through the Library.

Moving into the Future: Although rooted in the past, the eight pillared forms of Phronesis look towards the future. Each glowing, dynamic pedestal is wrapped in a binary translation of its principle, merging our fundamental past with the language of our digital future. The height and size of each pillar directly reflect its encoded binary message. This work symbolizes the continuity and evolution of human wisdom, bridging ancient insights with modern technological expression.

Technical Details: The eight pillars of Phronesis range in height from 13 feet to 28 feet and include a custom wireless mesh LED system personally created and coded by Jen Lewin. Designed so that no sequence is ever the same, Phronesis features an original flow and color-changing pattern that mimics the way the wind rustles through the trees. As with all of Lewin’s work, each color, transition, and moment within the dynamic, ever-changing illuminated landscape of Phronesis was meticulously coded by Lewin with care and precision. The installation comprises over 29,000 LEDs, creating a stunning and immersive visual experience.

The 8 Pillars of Phronesis: Binary Translation What is “Binary”
Binary (noun): In computing, binary is a system of communication that uses only two symbols, typically 0 and 1, to represent and process data. Each digit in a binary number is called a bit, and combinations of these bits can represent complex instructions and information.

Historical Importance: Binary code is crucial because it forms the foundation of all modern computing systems. Historically, the simplicity of the binary system made it ideal for early computers, allowing for straightforward implementation in digital electronic circuits. This laid the groundwork for the development of advanced computing technology, revolutionizing fields such as science, engineering, and communication.

Phronesis Binary Translations:

01001000 01110101 01101101 01100001 01101110 01101001 01110011 01101101 [Humanism]

01010000 01110101 01110010 01110011 01110101 01101001 01110100 00100000 01101111 01100110 00100000 01000101 01111000 01100011 01100101 01101100 01101100 01100101 01101110 01100011 01100101 [Pursuit of Excellence]

01001101 01101111 01100100 01100101 01110010 01100001 01110100 01101001 01101111 01101110 [Moderation]

01010011 01100101 01101100 01100110 00101101 01001011 01101110 01101111 01110111 01101100 01100101 01100100 01100111 01100101 [Self-Knowledge]

01010010 01100001 01110100 01101001 01101111 01101110 01100001 01101100 01101001 01110011 01101101 [Rationalism]

01010010 01100101 01110011 01110100 01101100 01100101 01110011 01110011 00100000 01000011 01110101 01110010 01101001 01101111 01110011 01101001 01110100 01111001 [Restless Curiosity]

01010100 01101000 01100101 00100000 01001100 01101111 01110110 01100101 00100000 01101111 01100110 00100000 01000110 01110010 01100101 01100101 01100100 01101111 01101101 [The Love of Freedom]

01001001 01101110 01100100 01101001 01110110 01101001 01100100 01110101 01100001 01101100 01101001 01110011 01101101 [Individualism]

*Inspired by the research of Stephen Bermen PhD and is book “The Eight Pillars of Greek Wisdom”, 2007

Grants, Awards & exhibits

2022 Public Art Commission, Phronesis by Jen lewin, Permanent to the Cincinnati Public Library

The Other- 2024 Burning Man Pavilion

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The Other, Man Pavilion at Burning Man 2024, shot by: Mark Fromson