"Luminous Symphony" ist eine fesselnde Kunstinstallation, die einen öffentlichen Raum im Bozner Parkhotel Mondschein in einen faszinierenden Spielplatz aus Licht und Interaktion verwandelt.

Die Besucher traten am 10. Juni 2023 in einen einzigartigen Dialog mit der aus Neonlichtern bestehenden Installation und wurden zu Hauptakteuren einer bezaubernden Sinfonie.

Über Shahed Naji

Shahed Naji ist ein libanesischer multidisziplinärer Künstler und Yogalehrer, der in Berlin, Deutschland, lebt und arbeitet. Sein Interesse an Meditation und östlichen Philosophien entwickelte sich in jungen Jahren, was ihn zusätzlich motivierte, Yoga zu praktizieren. Daher setzt er dieses Interesse fort, indem er an Meditationspraktiken und Workshops in verschiedenen Tempeln und Retreats teilnimmt. In letzter Zeit konzentriert er sich auch mehr auf seine Kunst und produziert solche.

What was your first impression of the hotel, what did you like the most?

After a long trip from Berlin you get a little overwhelmed finally seeing the Parkhotel Mondschein. The façade is so impressive and you can really feel the presence of the history.

It feels like each room has a story to tell and as soon as you enter you can´t wait to explore all the details and impressions.

What inspired you the most here at the hotel and during your stay in Bolzano and South Tyrol?

There are many tunnel-like connections here in the city of Bolzano, that connect the parallel streets.

And one of the exits of Parkhotel Mondschein to get to the Bindergasse is one as well. So I wanted to work with this as I felt, that people must have crossed these passages since many many years. History and the idea of how people lived in those places long time before me have always inspired me.

Have you ever been to Bolzano or is it your first time? What connection do you have to the hotel?

My connection to the Parkhotel Mondschein comes through their sister hotel the Schwarzschmied in Lana. I have already held Yoga Retreats there. So I have already been to Bolzano and visited the Parkhotel Mondschein but have never stayed here. The combination of being an artist and a Yoga teacher is very important to me.

How is the combination of Yoga and Art important for you?

Also in the Yoga practice light and sound are important. With the Yoga practices I want my students to slow down, as it is my believe, that everyone needs to slow down to be fully productive again. With my art you also stop a little from your daily hectic life. So generally speaking I invite everyone to slow down. Whether during my Yoga Class or when experiencing my art.

What were the phases of the creative process for the art installation?

I am coming originally from Lebanon. There but also in Italian cities in the south I have noticed cables hanging above small alleys. I want to use these structures, which are considered as unorganized and untidy and remake it to my creative artistic mess.

Which story do you want to tell with your art?

When I grew up in Lebanon, we had the civil war. Many times of the day we didn´t have any electricity. As the neon light lamps were the cheapest, we had those in our house. When the electricity came, maybe once a day for an hour or two, we noticed this because the lights turned on. Those neon lights make this special kind of noise. We could invite friends over, watch TV and just enjoy life a little and have a glimpse of a normal life.

During this time we were dependent on the lights. Now I can have the impact on the lights. With the movement sensors I can decide when the lights are being turned on. And I can include the spectators in the art as everyone can be part of the piece.