Abstract nominee

Taking cues from the science of photonics, this series uses optical methods to harness light as a sculptural element. The process is a circle of inspiration, interaction and discovery all born from the desire to explore the hypnotic and emotional qualities of light and color. Working in total darkness, Nils hand shapes clusters of dispersed light into abstract forms that exist only for a short moment and cannot be reproduced. Nils applies colored gels in the path of the light and captures the light sculptures without using a lens. The resulting images are dye sublimated on metal and framed in a box, echoing the radiant and three dimensional qualities these light sculptures present in their original state.

Born in Washington D.C. and raised in Germany, I worked my way up from camera rental intern to commercial and music video director, before returning to the U.S. to attend the Master of Fine Arts program at the American Film Institute in Los Angeles. While in school, I was commissioned to create a architectural documentary short for the Wattis Museum in San Francisco, which introduced me to the local design community. I have since produced numerous photo & video productions for architects and designers. This environment led to an award winning mixed media series and a solo exhibit at AIA Los Angeles. After a brief stint as Head of Video production for a tech start-up, I directed my first feature, the award winning micro-budget film "Echoes", which was distributed world wide via Starz. In recent years, I began using my expertise to experiment with light itself as a means of abstract, artistic expression. This has resulted in the ongoing project "The Fabric of Light" from which my submitted work is taken.