Leo Villareal does amazing light sculptures that pulse and flash in hypnotic patterns. According to New York Times reviewer Ken Johnson “There should be benches. You just want to sit and gaze in blissful stupefaction at Volume” (pictured top).

There’s more to his work than just pretty flashing lights. He described his process to CNET News:

“My work is focused on stripping systems down to their essence to better understand the underlying structures and rules that govern how they work,” Villareal told CNET News. “I am interested in lowest common denominators such as pixels or the zeros and ones in binary code. Starting at the beginning, using the simplest forms, I begin to build elements within a framework. My work explores not only on the physical but adds the dimension of time combining both spatial and temporal resolution. My forms move, change, interact and ultimately grow into complex organisms.

‘Inspired by mathematician John Conway’s work with cellular automata and the Game of Life, I seek to create my own sets of rules,” he continued. “Central to my work is the element of chance. The goal is to create a rich environment in which emergent behavior can occur without a preconceived outcome. I am an active participant, serving as editor in the process through careful selection of compelling sequences.”

To really appreciate his work you need to see it in motion. Here are videos of the pieces pictured above:

Cylinder, 2011 from Leo Villareal on Vimeo.

National Gallery of Art, Washington DC HD from Leo Villareal on Vimeo.