Richie Hawtin and John Gerrard's 'SPIRITS' Marks Summer Solstice at LACMA

On June 21, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) presented SPIRITS, a complimentary public gathering that merged a solar-themed installation by digital artist John Gerrard with a live DJ performance from electronic music innovator Richie Hawtin (Plastikman). This event marked the summer solstice and highlighted the artwork's solar cycle. SPIRITS is a year-long digital initiative featuring four 24-hour events in sync with solstices and equinoxes. It showcases 3D sculptures made from plastic sandals and shoes sourced from beaches worldwide. For the summer solstice, the emphasis was on the Mediterranean Sea, where viewers could interact with the artwork via their phones, causing the plastic to transform into flowing petroleum, illustrating the connection between plastic waste and fossil fuels. Hawtin's performance was enhanced by dynamic visuals, lighting, and fog, creating an immersive experience. Gerrard referred to the project as an exploration of plastic as a 'spirit' of the 20th-century petrol era, starting from Karpathos island, Greece. Hawtin remarked that this collaboration was more interactive than previous museum performances, as he closely coordinated with Gerrard on the planning and setup. The event highlights LACMA's commitment to digital art and environmental issues.