Luftwerk (Sean Gallero and Petra Bachmaier) retuned to the IEA in February 2020 for a Schein-Joseph International Residency. Luftwerk has had multiple previous residencies at the IEA including, 2018, 2015 & 2013. Their experiences at the IEA were transformative to their practice as they navigated from spatial light installations to light + print, to print-media. For their 2020 residency, it was a mix of finishing projects and mastering new techniques, while reconnecting with the Alfred Community.

Sean and Petra made new works for their Chiaro Oscuro series during their residency using the Photo-Gravure process, thanks to technical support from Joseph Scheer. These new works were featured in a 2020 solo-exhibition at Volume Gallery, Chicago IL. IEA Research Admin, Rebekkah Palov completed the 2018 edition CMY Gradience Set, while Joseph Scheer completed the B&W edition. The completed signed editions also included large-format color prints  Interaction of Light, printed in collaboration with Aodi Liang. Besides visits with IEA director Joesph Scheer, other visits with the community included with Professor of Dance, Chase Angier, and Associate Professor in Glass, Sarah Blood.

Luftwerk explores light, color, and perception in immersive, experience-based installations. Focused on the context of a site for each project, Luftwerk applies their own interpretive layer, integrating the physical structure, historical context, and embedded information into each piece. Since founding in 2007, Luftwerk has amassed a significant body of work ranging from site-specific installations to experimental projects that interpret data. In each project, they are interested in the abilities of how light and color can be utilized to shift perception and enhance experience. Luftwerk is the artistic collaboration of Petra Bachmaier and Sean Gallero. To learn more visit: www.luftwerk.net