Axis Mundi, Leslie Epsztein and Camille Gross (Image courtesy of the National WWl Museum and Memorial)
The National WWI Museum and Memorial commissioned four world-renowned light artists to transform the iconic Memorial “into a canvas of light, sound and motion” over seven weekends, starting Sept. 25– 27. The installation was created in celebration of the Museum and Memorial’s 100th anniversary and the nation’s 250th anniversary.
The works by artists Xavier de Richemont, the duo of Leslie Epsztein and Camille Gross, and Onionlab rotate weekends (view the schedule), creating light installations unlike any seen in Kansas City. Each evening’s light installation runs 8 to 10 minutes and repeats every 15 minutes during the scheduled hours. A custom composed score matches each artistic illumination.
French video artist Xavier de Richemont is known for monumental, highly personal historical projections “defined by lyrical strokes, slow movement and a profusion of texture, blending abstraction and figuration with narration and music,” according to the museum’s website, which features detailed information about the project and remarks from each artist. Titled An Hommage, de Richemont’s work “references the four human values embodied by the Memorial. It is not a historical fresco, but rather a conceptual tetralogy portraying the values that underpin the bravery and sense of duty of the soldiers whose memory 100 years later remains a lesson in patriotism, courage and sacrifice — a lesson in honor.”
French artists Leslie Epsztein and Camille Gross create architectural projection mapping work and immersive visual experiences “defined by a dreamlike aesthetic, refined graphic sensibility and meticulous attention to detail, frequently exploring themes of time, memory and transmission.” Their installation Axis Mundi is described as “a poetic interpretation of the theme ‘Remember Forward’ that explores how memory shapes the future.”
“The tree serves as the central thread of the piece, representing society itself. A multitude of origins, stories, and identities converge and grow together, nurturing a living entity — singular yet collective. The architecture of the Memorial is the starting point of our narrative,” stated the artists.
Barcelona-based studio Onionlab founder Jordi Pont specializes in the production of 3D audiovisual shows and immersive experiences that combine artistic vision and technical precision. Remember Forward was inspired by “the monument itself, the towering presence that rises tall and watches over the city.”
Pont stated: “As we studied the meaning behind the Tower, the Great Frieze and the Museum, we came to understand the human journey through the First World War — the passage from honor and sacrifice, through courage, toward the hope of a lasting peace. We wanted to pay respect to that meaning, and to raise awareness of the Memorial’s honorable history and its enduring mission.”
The public is encouraged to gather on the North Lawn for the best viewing and listening experience. According to the Museum, while the Tower will be wrapped in light, the full shows include projections on the North Wall and Great Frieze.
“Liberty’s Beacon” installations run each weekend beginning Sept. 25-27 and continuing through Veterans Day, Nov. 11, at the National WWI Museum and Memorial, 2 Memorial Dr. For more information, visit libertysbeacon.theworldwar.org/libertys-beacon-home.
