Eno
installations rely on two main elements - Sound and Light. Eno
installations rely on two main elements - Sound and Light.
Both of these elements rely on systems that can be set into operation and then left to develop over time.
The audio elements are based either on SSEYO KOAN generative computer technology or looping pre-recorded elements, or a combination of the two.
The visual elements also rely on two main types of illumination. Eno has used large screens that display back projected slides that fade in and out slowly. Examples of these are shown above in the two elements on the right hand side of the picture above.
Eno has also used
light box constructions to great effect as well. When I first saw on of these
at Sonic Boom I was not able to work out how the effect was created. The elements
resemble screens as they are flat. They display 
different
areas that gradually fade up and down in luminosity and also fade from one colour
to the next. They are an example of Eno changing function of a device to meet
an artistic need. In 1983 Eno exhibited with Michael Chandler at the ICA in
Boston. Eno had doubts about how his video paintings would work in conjunction
with Chandlers paintings, which were small dark and intricately detailed. Up
until this time Eno's video pieces were based on slow moving scenes (such as
the New York skyline). The solution he came up with was to use the video monitor
as a source of illumination rather than the source of the image. Translucent
constructions were placed over the monitor that displayed slowly changing blocks
of colour. This created a slowly changing glowing shape that Eno called 'Crystals'
(see image on right). The idea has been developed over time with different areas
of the screen sectioned off behind using card and tin foil. This allows the
creation of more complex images and effects such as the element on the left
of the picture at the top of the page.
I enjoyed this effect so much that I have created web pages that resemble the effect of these elements. See an example here, here or here.