Circle = Circe. The latin word for “circle”. Light = Lux. The latin word for “illumination” or “light”. Circle Light.
Circe Lux is a large interactive steel sculpture standing 8 ft tall and 10 feet long. She is a representation of two large wings, flowing up out of the earth in a large perfect 8’ circle with a luminous spherical “heart” leading the way. She is the macro/large symbol of the circles and cycles of life, the magical awakening of the heart.
The circles represent how Life flows in cycles and circles within each other – macro to micro. Birds on the wing soar in spirals and the weather made of wind and water flows in cycles and circles. We find our beginning at the ending of things… and flow in the inbetween.
Wings – Wings made of the circular elements of strong steel provides a symbol of freedom and flight of the spirit. The steel wing skeleton is fitted with hooks to hang fabric wings. In 2010, the fabric wings where made by many hands of the Portland Oregon Community and friends abroad. Inspired by the Aids quilts of the 1990s, the patchwork wings express a beauty found only in individualized chaos, sewn together by common threads. The wings represent the spirit and body as it balances, aligns and soars when supported and loved. The fabric wings represent the beauty and power of collaboration and community.
Light = Lux - At night, Circe's heart was illuminated with a red LED lights that beat in a heart rhythm. Red like the lifeblood in our veins pumped by our hearts. Her wings illuminated by golden LED strings of light, powered by solar charged battery. The lights represent the pulsing energy and glow of the spirit within, the energy source of our galaxy that enlivens our bodies and our consciousness. The light is the fire that illuminates our journey through the cycles of our lives, internally and externally.
Locks and Keys - In her original installation in 2010, she had 12 functioning locks on her wings with randomly hung keys. Each lock held a Luxwing pendant. If a participant could match a lock to a key, they could unlock the Gift of the Luxwing pendant. Those locks are now rusted shut… all of the Luxwings have been released from their bindings… The locks represent the shadow side of limitation that we put on ourselves, the closed way of thinking and limitations we put on ourselves and others. The locks are the micro/small symbols of limitation. The lock traps the magic that flows with the cycles of life. Locks shut things away, with the illusion of safekeeping, we may destroy the very thing we hold precious. We hold the keys to release the Gifts within us… we must only work to match the key to the lock. Once unlocked, the Gift is surrendered and released to create magic.
It all started with a sketch on a dry erase board, and then resulted in multiple visions, simplifications, challenges, learning, collaborations, and lots of magic..
2010 - Burning Man - Circe Lux initial installation in front of the Temple of Flux in Black Rock City, Nevada. Installed with community created fabric wings, led lighting and functioning locks that help the Luxwing pendants. Over 100 bronze Luxwing pendants where gifted off of Circe Lux to the Burning Man community. 10 silver pendants were gifted to the Circe Lux crew in thanks for their work and support helping create this work of art.
2011 - Tribal Convergence - Circe Lux installation in a orchard meadow in Tidewater, Oregon. Installed within a 50 foot diameter labyrinth cut into the grass with solar powered LED light illuminating the labyrinth pathways and the wings of Circe Lux. Willow spheres contained fabric strips for participants to weave and hang their dreams and prayers on her wings.
2012 - Secret Society, Portland Oregon - short term garden installation for music event.
2014 and 2015 - Circe Vita at Oregon Country Fair - Selected by committee to be included in the Oregon Country Fair new area dedicated to the arts.. I added the element of a hummingbird and a flower to the installation.
2016 - Circe Vita - Northwest String Summit and Hornings Hideout in partnership with GhostStag Productions
2017 CirceLux - Aqua Stellae - Portland Winter Lights Festival
2017 CirceLux Ritus - New Proposal for BurningMan in partnership with Chuck Woods
Currently placed on private residence in NE Portland. The story continues to be told...
Collaborative Credit and Deep Thanks goes to:
Alecia Davidshofer - Luxwing updated mold creation and pendant castings - 2013
Portland Community and beyond – wing circle creation, dreams, wonder and love
Andy Lacy – steel fabrication, teaching, design guidance, and encouragement
Eyefleye – fabric wing community creation coordination, love and support
Andy Tibbetts - steel fabrication, teaching, design guidance, and encouragement
Jesse Banks – Red LED assembly and heartbeat programming
Tito Anders – late night chats and fabric wing grommets expertise
Paul and Kat Sardoch – fabric wing assembly support and creation
Zoe Rudinzki – fabric wing assembly support and creation
Scythe Klein and Willa Maher – inspiration of youth and wonder, new experiences, patience, love and creativity
MIke Ausman - Luxwing wax execution, mold creation, first-run pendant castings and finish work - 2010
Gustav - Luxwing finish work - 2010
Dave Camp - Secret Society Event 2012
Matt McCune, Tanya Zumach, Geoffrey Silver, Sallie Edmunds, Michal Spatzek - Oregon Country Fair
Joshua Dameron, Kate Dameron and Randy Dameron 2016 OCF