# Switching Light Sculptures Engineer Ian Burns Turns Mechanics Into Philosophical Art By Meghan Young | Published 2012-09-17 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ian-burns References: [visualnews](http://www.visualnews.com/2012/09/16/ian-burns-engineers-creative-light-sculptures/) & [ianburns.net](http://www.ianburns.net/) Ian Burns is an engineer and artist who uses his analytical background to create stunning creative works that boggle the mind as much as they enchant it. Essentially, Ian Burns has created a switching light installation that projects words onto walls. These words seem to magically morph before his audience's very eyes. Of course, it is just mechanics, not magic. Born in Australia and based in New York, Ian Burns uses magnifying glasses to focus the filaments of lightbulbs onto a wall, creating intricate sets of switches that result in the illuminating display set before gallery goers. Ian Burns tells The Stock Room, "[What I do] is complicated, but it’s no more complicated than your iPhone and yet we just take that for granted. At the basest of levels it’s the same technology. It’s just switches." ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.9/10 - Popularity: 76% | Activity: 64% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Switching Light Installations:** Opportunity for artists to create mesmerizing displays using mechanical switches and lightbulbs. - **Mechanical Art:** Artists combining engineering and creativity to produce thought-provoking works. - **Interactive Projection Art:** Using magnifying glasses and lightbulbs to project words that appear to transform, engaging audiences in a unique way. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Art and Design:** Artists can incorporate innovative switching light installations into their work, pushing the boundaries of traditional art forms. - **Technology:** Developing advanced mechanical switches and lighting techniques for use in interactive projection art installations. - **Entertainment:** Event organizers can leverage switching light installations to create captivating experiences for audiences, combining technology and art. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Kinetic Lighting Forms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/impulse-collection.md) - [Illuminated Curtained Light Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/making-the-invisible-visible.md) - [Statement Street Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/surreal-street-art-1.md) - [Emotional Light Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/miror-collection.md) - [Immersive Light Art Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/psychoacoustic-light-ensemble.md) - [Physics-Informed Digital Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/motion-sculpture.md) - [Lightning-Inspired Artful Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bright-light-shining.md) - [Concept-Driven Public Art Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ivan-toth-depea.md) - [Intricate Lighting Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/objects-of-common-interest1.md)