Light the Barricades was created to represent emotional barriers using three signs provided by LA-based Front Signs to convey themes of ‘Judgement’, ‘Resentment’ and ‘Doubt’.

A collaboration between artists Candy Chang and James A. Reeves, and Annenberg Space for Photography, the project aimed to catch the attention of the public and encourage them to take five minutes out of their busy days to “contemplate their inner obstructions”.

The inspiration for the installation came from the old scripts of ‘I Ching’. Originated in China as a divination text, it is considered to be one of the oldest Chinese classics.

Candy Chang and James A. Reeves reflect on the project: “When we considered how walls are used today, our first thought was the advertising that covers our cities. We wanted to translate the language of billboards into a contemporary ritual for contemplation, perhaps even a moment of humility.”

The Front Signs team took less than a month to create the walls

Front Signs created the signs by fabricating three solar powered internally illuminated eco-friendly light boxes. Despite the project taking almost a year to plan, the firm was able to bring the walls to life in less than a month.

The artists comment: “However impossible this may sound, the Front Signs team went above and beyond to make this project happen from start to finish including every component of fabrication such as custom metal work, printing, assembly and installation.”

Having spent some time across Los Angeles, the walls have now been transferred to the Annenberg Space for Photography where the exhibit will stay for the rest of the year.

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