Jim Buckley

Intangible Nature, Eco Metro Exhibition, Geumnamro-4 Station, Gwangju Biennale. South Korea 2004.

The title 'chameleon' comes from the name of the small lizard famous for changing its colour.  'chameleon' was conceived both as a response to the theme of the Eco Metro exhibition, Intangible Nature, and the architectural space of the station.  For me the challenge was to change the atmosphere of the new station and platforms, from the starkness of the overall lighting to a more warm and varied experience.  Most of the lighting in the subway is white fluorescent tubes.  These give a cold, almost clinical feeling in the subway which is exaggerated by their reflection on the polished stone surfaces.  In changing the light colour of over 600 fluorescent tubes in the station and a train, I have created pools of light that help define the architecture and act as markers or navigational elements within the space.  'chameleon' incorporates direct audience participation as the piece only functions when the public move through the spaces of the station.