The goal was simple but ambitious: to teach a machine to feel. Lightwall is a collaboration between Zach Rattner and artist Rita Sus that merges fine art, kinetic light, and real-time AI to create a living, breathing environment shaped by the people who stand before it. It bridges the gap between digital intelligence and physical reality, turning a static wall into a living presence.
Unlike standard static installations, this composition responds to the visitor’s movement and voice. When approached, the artwork shifts from an abstract array of geometric shapes and glass cubes to an entity actively engaging in dialogue.
Lightwall is on display at the California Center for the Arts Museum.
Rita Sus and I sought to merge the tangible beauty of kinetic glass with the invisible power of real-time AI. Brought to life through an intensive collaboration with California State University Fullerton and the California Center for the Arts, the project evolved from experimental prototypes into a seamless, living installation.
A sign placed next to the piece simply invites visitors: "Talk to the wall. It’s listening." When approached, Lightwall speaks back in a robotic, yet distinctly engaging voice. As recently featured in the Orange County Register, the installation actively invites users into an esoteric conversation about its purpose and identity. As Professor Christopher Ryu put it, "The art is responding to us."
