Lichtfaktor. Light tagging Cologne

The Cologne collective Lichtfaktor, spearheaded by artists $ehvermögen, beat.surfers and JIAR, is quietly cultivating “light writing”, the latest form of graffiti.  The basic premise of light writing is to take long-term exposure photos of light sources that “draw” an image.  The goals of traditional graffiti and light writing are similar and both strive take it one step further than was previously thought possible.  However the technique is drastically different.  Lichtfaktor “writes” with various light sources while taking a time-lapse photo.  The result is a psychedelic burst of energy across a seemingly empty landscape.

Similar to traditional graffiti, light writing is done at night in carefully selected locations, often chosen for their isolation.  The location is essential – other sources of light, people and the integration of the local landscape into the final image must be carefully considered.  Although light writing can be done almost anywhere, the group has run into problems when onlookers have misunderstood their strange movements and use of multicoloured lights.  Indeed the process must look comical to anyone who doesn’t know what is happening, as the final result is only visible through a photograph of the event.

Light writing, just like graffiti, has generated interest among companies that are looking to expand their marketing campaigns in an urban direction.  Lichtfaktor has taken full advantage of their technological edge; in fact they all have “day jobs” working with some form of modern media as programmers, photographers, VJ’s and designers.  They’ve made quite name for themselves across the web by constantly posting new images and revealing tweaked techniques. The group comments that the rapid exchange of information means that the techniques, styles and developments are spread and replicated within days instead of months.

The project started in the winter of 2006 and has been evolving ever since.  Lichtfaktor uses many of the traditional tools of graffiti such as stencils or caps (a filter put over the light source to control thickness).  Visually stunning, the beauty of this type of graffiti is that it last merely seconds and can only be fully appreciated in the final photo.  The crew had a long time involvement in graffiti before founding Lichtfaktor, and boasts that they get the best of both worlds through photography, painting, graffiti and stop-motion film. The eclectic and varied list of influences ranges from Picasso to Laurie Anderson to Stanley Kubrick and includes other pioneers in the field.

The group doesn’t want to stop with photography.  The goal is to take their work to another level including live performances, full length films and collaborations with a variety of artists to produce a full show with dancers, music and of course, light.

www.lichtfaktor.eu

All Images Courtesy of Lichtfaktor

Contributing writer: Alicia Reuter

Categories: Cologne, Art, Alicia Reuter, Photography