Island of Calleja

This light installation consists of a constructed armature, programmed lighting, and fabric, forming a three-dimensional representation of neurological pathways in the brain that simultaneously create space and isolate a central form. Inspired by the Islands of Calleja (granule cells in the basal forebrain that express dopamine receptors), the piece translates this scientific structure into an immersive sculptural language.

The form reflects the brain’s neurological response to dopamine, with partial activation suggesting a dialogue around memory formation and retention. This selective illumination not only defines the central void but also enhances the surrounding shadows and spatial dynamics, creating a sensory interplay between presence and absence.

Through this work, the artist seeks to give visual and spatial presence to neurological phenomena that are typically unseen. By portraying neurons in a moment of active self-isolation, the installation emphasizes their role in shaping perception, emotion, and memory, revealing the brain's internal processes in their most quietly dynamic and positive form.