SHA_RE Light Art Work at the University of Groningen Library

Visualizing the university
Presenting science in public space

A decade ago, the Groningen University Fund (GUF) commissioned me to create a light artwork for the UB City Centre in celebration of UG's 400th anniversary. This installation displays a database of images, videos and texts representing ongoing UG research.

Dutch version

SHA_RE is an installation that makes UG research visible in public space: the UB stairwell and, in the evening and at night, the Broerplein. It does so through a stream of photos, videos and texts in a grid that constantly changes shape. This dynamic grid flows over a waterfall of LED panels mounted on each floor of the UB stairwell and extends to the ceiling above the entrance. Thousands of photos, videos and even texts from research papers are displayed of historical and current scientific research at the UG.

In a dynamic grid that flows over a waterfall of LED panels measuring more than 20 m2, thousands of photos, videos of research and texts of dissertations are shown in a constantly changing form. The movement is not linear. Sometimes one of the cells is enlarged to the whole of the stairwell. In addition, the cells occasionally fill with color, with the grid of images showing similarities with a stained glass window, a reference to the St. Martin's Church that stood at this location until 1982. And as a reflection of the stained glass windows of the Academy Building on the other side of the square.

Periodically, various cells of the grid become transparent, providing a glimpse into the veins of the library through a scrolling log file that shows how the catalog is searched, the start of a lot of research.

The name SHA_RE indicates the way in which the artwork was created and what it does: sharing research with the artwork and the artist, sharing research with colleagues and the public and sharing through the artwork of the material with the public. The underscore cuts the word in half. It gives an idea of the technology behind it, where 'RE' stands for 'research'.

Read more about SHA_RE on share.ub.rug.nl

WANT TO CONTRIBUTE?

For the UG Lustrum 2024, I'm updating the artwork with fresh content. I need around 8000 new images and videos to enhance the digital grid flowing over the UB balustrades. I'm reaching out to UG researchers to contribute to the display of the UG collective research journey in an artistic manner.

Your Contribution

If you'd like your research showcased in the heart of the city, please share your work with me. Any images produced during your UG research are welcome: from field research photos to (laboratory) videos, infographics, models, schemes, and other visuals. As long as they are not too small (a minimum of 1000px on the smallest side) and have no logos. No pre-editing is needed.

Timeline: EXTENDED DEADLINE

Please send your images/videos until April 15 2024. In May 2024, they will be displayed in the new edition of the SHA_RE artwork. As the database needs constant updating, contributions are continuously welcome.

Eligibility

Open to anyone doing research for UG. Are you a student? Visuals must be approved for publication, as they'll be showcased in a public space. Consider getting feedback from your professors if needed.

Submission Method

Please send your visuals to Dit e-mailadres wordt beveiligd tegen spambots. JavaScript dient ingeschakeld te zijn om het te bekijken. including your faculty/institute name. For secure sharing of large files, you may consider using Unishare or SURFfilesender.

Questions?

Feel free to email me at Dit e-mailadres wordt beveiligd tegen spambots. JavaScript dient ingeschakeld te zijn om het te bekijken. if you have any questions. And thank you!

Images

copyright images: Henk Veenstra