Philippe Parreno Marquee, 2020

Philippe Parreno's Marquee belongs to an ongoing body of work started in 2006 that consists of more than 60 existing marquees to date. Parreno’s Marquees are unique pieces, individual in their form, light effect and construction. The artist’s Marquees combine lighting techniques that are almost a thing of the past (such as incandescent bulbs and neon tubes) with modern acrylics that are milled, shaped and formed according to the latest fabrication methods. The Marquee is hanging from the ceiling with four opaque acrylic chains. The wiring cables are left visible and loose on the floor, evoking the computer brain of a science fiction machine. The lights flicker alternatively according to seven sequences conceived by the artist. Produced by four transducers amplifying the electrical current running through the wires attached to the Marquee like tentacles, the sound recalls buzzing neon tubes, crackling fireworks, and reverberating bass.