In exchange with the space, Huyghe also made a point of allowing the spider their own agency.  Each time an insect passed over an installed electromagnetic device, the gallery’s lights were momentarily suspended and the viewer was plunged into darkness.  This created an opportunity to behold Huyghe’s radiant glow-in-the-dark work, Dress For Radium Dance.  The gown in the work was inspired by a garment worn by dancer Loie Fuller during a private performance that she gave for researcher Marie Curie. The dress was made in Curie’s lab out of phosphorescent salts, and is coated with a waxy, phosphorescent finish which allowed it to appear brightly in the dark.

 R. Proctor and D. Creahan, AO, NEW YORK – PIERRE HUYGHE AT THE ARTIST’S INSTITUTE THROUGH AUGUST 17TH, 2014