Brighter Revealed
a traveling, luminous public art installation
Mixed media, 2021
This illuminated mobile art display by artists Tova Speter and Emily Bhargava focuses on revealing the many sources of inner strength and bright spirit contained within our community through imagery and recorded voices. Commissioned by JArts and incorporating artwork created by 300+ students and community members throughout the Greater Boston area, this large scale lantern offered two opportunities for engagement as it traveled. Viewers were able to step inside during the day and be surrounded by the art and sound as the outside light streamed in to reveal the designs created by participants; and to walk around it at night as it is illuminated from within sharing the light and vibrancy we each have to offer.
The celebration of Chanukah centers around sharing the miracle of light amidst darkness and the triumph of freedom prevailing over persecution. By bringing communities together to create art and by publicly showcasing their collaborative work, this project not only highlights the past miracles of Chanukah, but also reveals and acknowledges the present day miracles, inspiration, and collective strength found in our Boston community.
Special thanks to my partner artist Emily Bhargava, builder Manny Hutter, and the 300+ participants from 16 partnering schools and organizations throughout the greater Boston area who contributed to this work. When it traveled it also featured an audio soundtrack (see below) engineered by Jesse Ulrich with music by Neal Katz, showcasing the voices of 75+ people of all ages sharing the source of their inner strength.
See how Brighter Revealed was built by checking out the process pics below:
Read an articles about the project in the Boston Globe (also available as a pdf here), the Newton Tab, and on JewishBoston.com.
Laura Mandel of JLive, interviews artists Emily Bhargava and Tova Speter to share their latest project, Brighter Revealed, which is a part of the JArts Hanukkah 2021 celebration.
Many thanks to all the contributing artists from:
Boys and Girls Club in Salem, Coleman House in Newton, Epstein Hillel School in Marblehead, Entre Familia in Mattapan, The Jewish Community Day School in Watertown, Gann Academy in Waltham, Gateways in Newton, Harvard University in Cambridge, Hebrew SeniorLife in Brookline, Maimonides School in Brookline, MetroWest Jewish Day School in Framingham, The Rashi School in Dedham, Shillman House in Framingham, Solomon Schechter Day School in Newton, Torah Academy in Brookline, and Yachad in Brookline.
Thanks also to Lisa, and Dan from LAM Partners for their lighting expertise and to Jaime for everything.
View a slideshow of the workshops and installation process here.
*Brighter Revealed was decomissioned in 2024 after having shared its light during the dark winter months for three years. The window boxes filled with community artwork were rescued and continue to add color and inspiration in various schools and community organizations. If you know a community organization interested in hosting one of the remaining windows, please contact me.