Light Sentence 1971

Laddie John Dill made this neon light piece, "Light Sentence", with glass tubing and electricity. Dill uses light as a material, like paint or clay. There is a sense of process when you look at the imperfections in the glass. It is like a sketch in light. The glow isn’t uniform; you can see subtle shifts in color, little hiccups where the current flows brighter or dimmer. I love how the rawness of the medium isn’t hidden; it’s celebrated. The stark contrast between the light and the dark makes you feel like you are staring into the void. Your focus is totally absorbed by this red hot line. The title of the piece plays on the idea of punitive detention, but I see it as a playful take on minimalism. It reminds me of Dan Flavin, but with a West Coast, laid-back vibe. Dill’s light is more about feeling than form.