ALOFT transforms a graphic image of the comb, a seemingly mundane item that everyone can relate to, into an iconic image. The comb is the first tool used by people to beautify themselves for the eternally human act of seduction.

ALOFT also featured light-emitting Luminex dresses on their own, with their glowing woven fibers constantly changing in reaction to multiple environmental signals including temperature, sound and other stimuli.

In collaboration with Alan V. Sahakian, Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and Biomedical Engineering at Northwestern University. Luminex fabric provided by Roman Illumination & Design.

The digital comb prints are supported by the Hochschule Niederrhein, Mönchengladbach, Germany.

The ‘Aloft’ video was presented during the Illuminate and the 4LINES exhibition in Chicago in October 2007.

photo + collage: Gabriele Wilpers