Luzinterruptus: Literature vs. Traffic

Thousands of discarded books are turned into an illuminated pathway in a large-scale art installation by Spanish undercover art collective Luzinterruptus.

Spain-based art collective Luzinterruptus works with The University of Michigan Institute for the Humanities to display thousands of books and LED lights in the installation Literature vs. Traffic paving Liberty Street in Ann Arbor.

Thus, Ann Arbor joins Toronto, New York, and Melbourne welcoming this project that transforms just a street into a display of thousands of glowing books. Visitors can feel immersed in a flow of words and paper where they can dive and find treasures, sit down, take photos, and enjoy brief reading moments. Luzinterruptus wants literature to take over the streets and conquer public spaces, particularly areas reserved for traffic, noise, and pollution.

About Luzinterruptus

Luzinterruptus is an anonymous artistic group, who carries out urban interventions in public spaces. Luzinterruptus uses light as a raw material and the dark as a canvas. The two members of the team come from different disciplines and apply their creativity to display lights around the city.

Luzinterruptus began to act on the streets of Madrid at the end of 2008. Their idea was to use light to reveal problems that seem to go unnoticed to the authorities and citizens. The artistic group also want to embellish or highlight anonymous places or corners that seem special, as well as objects with extraordinary artistic value that have been left on the streets for unknown reasons.

Community and campus groups and individuals can sign up to volunteer to work with the artists to prep and attach lights to books (Oct 15–23).