Studio INI presents ‘Spine’ an interactive light installation erected in the Stamp Staircase of Somerset House for the London Design Festival 2015.

Interoception in Matter  |  ‘Spine’ explores whether externalised material and spatial manifestations of the mechanics of our physiology could expose the distinction between mind and body and allow us to decode the balance between our physiology and cognitive choices... and by consequence the actions that ensue from these choices?

Electricity |  Electricity is an inherent part of our anatomy as human beings. Neurons encode information with electrical signals and transmit that information through synapses across our spinal cord. The electrical signal involves a voltage change of many tens of millivolts travelling at 268 miles per hour through our neural pathways. In this way motor neurons located in the spinal cord carry signals from the brain to the muscles to produce movement.

Externally, electricity is the infrastructure that fuels an extensive network of man-made lighting that unbinds our activity to all hours of the day.

Light | 'Spine' is an interactive light installation that seeks to draw a parallel between our own physiology and the technological context in which we act. Visitors witness light trail the chain of bulbs and follow their movement as they ascend and descend the staircase.

Exaggerating the impact of  our intent and action by linking it directly to the control of the light and transformation of the space, we come to question our perception of  electricity and our role in its consumption.

'Spine' , consisting of two interactive spinal lighting sculptures, were designed by Nassia Inglessis and installed by Studio INI to celebrate the launch of the new dimmable Plumen 002 LED low energy bulb. In our collaboration with Plumen – a pioneer in re-inventing the world of everyday energy consumption, we saw the means to underline our role as individuals in the energy cycle.

Studio INI project team | Nassia Inglessis, Marcel Helmer, Henry Flitton, Ageliki Yiotis, Luke Walker.