Janet Echelman’s Stunning String Sculptures Evoke the Aurora Borealis

<a href="http://www.echelman.com" target="_blank">Janet Echelman</a> creates incredible hovering string sculptures by using traditional net-weaving techniques to transform simple spools of thread. Her beautiful sculptural installations are often strung between buildings and poles, resembling the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aurora_(astronomy)" target="_blank">aurora borealis</a> when light at night. The luminous <a href="http://inhabitat.com/sean-mcginnis’s-giant-string-webs-weave-bold-color-into-nature/" target="_blank">net sculptures</a> have been found hovering around the world, adding a surreal color to the night sky.

Echelman first conceived of her elaborate <a href="http://inhabitat.com/spotted-100-designs-top-green-exhibits-at-london-design-festival/" target="_blank">net sculptures</a> during her Fulbright lectureship in India, where she learned net weaving from the local fisherman of the Mahaballipuram region.

Inspired by these fisherman, she created indoor and <a href="http://inhabitat.com/interboro-partners-wins-competition-for-this-summers-ps1-momas-courtyard-installation/" target="_blank">outdoor public installations from similar netting</a>, which is hand-woven or machine-woven depending on the project.

When suspended in the air, the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/3013-installation-made-from-recycled-wood-cascades-down-a-london-building/" target="_blank">large-scale works</a> take on a life of their own, interacting with wind, sunlight, and precipitation as if they were living beings.

During the day, the sculptures woven from fine string reveal their delicate composition.

At night this delicacy fades and the suspending forms appear solid, <a href="http://inhabitat.com/flowering-string-gardens-suspend-fruits-and-greenery-in-delicate-webs-of-twine/" target="_blank">floating mid-air</a> as if they were space ships, <a href="http://inhabitat.com/washed-ashore-sculptures-of-marine-life-made-from-the-debris-that-endangers-them/" target="_blank">organic creatures</a>, or thick pieces of luminous fabric waving in the air.

Although several of Echelman's pieces are permanent installations, the sculptures can be moved easily, producing minimal waste, and no impact to the environments which they occupy.