_{Luminous Being by Caitlind r.c. Brown & Wayne Garrett (2026). Commissioned by CJSW Campus & Community Radio. Calgary/Mohkinstsis, Canada.}

Luminous Being is a kinetic light sculpture celebrating the life of Paula Fayerman, a friend & long-time radio programmer behind NOISE on CJSW 90.9 fm, our local campus & community radio station.

Five panels of laser-engraved acrylic illuminate one by one to create an analog animation of white curtains blowing gently in the breeze. Most of the time the artwork will be sleeping, but it will awaken near the end of each radio-hour, slowly illuminating to mark the transition between one show and the next.

The icon of a window creates the architecture of connection, a threshold you can see through but not enter, as an analogy for passing into the space beyond life as we know it. “Luminous Being” is a verb, speaking to the presence in absence, and all the invisible forces that surround us always, felt but unseen… like wind, or radio, or Paula.

During daylight hours, the artwork is almost invisible – a semi-transparent presence against the window in the corner of the on-air booth.

At night, the artwork comes to life, illuminating the mark the end of every hour.

A personal note from Caitlind:

“CJSW invited us to create this artwork in celebration of Paula, as a poetic acknowledgement of the significant donation she left to the station after her passing. Paula was my friend and a mentor of sorts. She on-air trained me almost 20 years ago, taught me the joys of community radio, and saw through the thin veil into my soul. She was a radiant woman, full of magic and good humour, and I miss her very much. It’s been a pleasure to think about her while developing this site-specific artwork over the last year.“

Thanks to Adam Kamis for his patience and guidance, Doug Harkness for sharing some of Paula’s final thoughts and words, Kerry Clark for late night conversations about our mutual friend, Dennis Koski for his help with prototyping and fabrication (Mancave Machining), the Pizza Critz group for their insights and ideas, and CJSW for seeing the value in commissioning an original artwork. Thanks to all the programmers who will share space with Luminous Being over the years to come. I hope it guides you gently from one hour to the next.