LCD Displays in the Art World

LCD displays are ubiquitous today, even though they have been partially replaced by LEDs . When we think of modern art , we picture Pollock, Picasso, or Warhol. They used a range of media and techniques to refine their skills and create unique, captivating pieces. Some contemporary artists and gallery owners think along similar lines, but with the latest technology.

LCD screens are frequently used to present and display contemporary art. Let's examine the influence of LCDs on the art world.

LCDs as part of art

The most famous use of LCD panels in art is Engine of Engines , a stunning work by Daniel Howe and Bill Seaman . Engine of Engines, which consists of 16 LCD panels arranged in a geometric pattern, was originally exhibited at the City University of Hong Kong.

The ‘Engine of Engines’ is a generative sound and video installation that reacts in real time to the network traffic in its environment. At its debut in Hong Kong, sixteen self-contained nodes floated in the space via connecting cables. Each node consisted of a screen, a processing unit, an audio output, and flash memory. These nodes interacted dynamically with the nearly one thousand computers in the labs, offices, and classrooms of the School of Creative Media .

However, Engine of Engines isn't the only LCD-based artwork the art world has seen. Artists can achieve unique effects by applying pressure to damaged LCD screens. Paul Strauss wrote for the Technabob blog , explaining:

"LCD bending" involves pressing your fingertips against a cracked LCD screen while it's switched on. The results are quite wild. Watching the crystallized goosebumps inside the display move while it's powered on and illuminated produces extremely fascinating fractal-like images.

LCDs as a medium for presenting art

LCDs are undoubtedly also advantageous for exhibiting and creating art. The presentation of graffiti art , also street art , is an excellent example of the use of LCD panels. In cases where the artwork cannot be moved, a high-quality photograph can be displayed on an LCD screen. For larger works, a larger screen can be purchased to try to display them at the size originally intended by the artist.

Art gallery owners are constantly seeking new ways to promote upcoming exhibitions and boost visitor numbers, just like shop owners. LCD displays can be used to distribute existing marketing materials or to preview current or upcoming exhibitions.

The art world has always been quick to explore new ideas, so it's no surprise that LCD panels are playing an increasingly important role in galleries. In the past, a screen might not have been able to accurately represent the complexity of a work of art. But modern screens quickly allow for the display of the contrast and color necessary to appreciate a work of art.

What elements determine the performance of LCD displays?

An LCD ( Liquid Crystal Display ) uses a thin layer of liquid crystals that combine the properties of liquids and crystals. An electrical voltage changes their orientation, thereby controlling the light transmission. This creates visible images or text, making LCDs energy-efficient and versatile – from monitors to Arduino displays .

These liquid crystals are located between two transparent electrodes and two polarizing filters positioned at right angles to each other. In their resting state, the crystals rotate incoming light by 90 degrees, allowing it to pass through both filters and resulting in a bright area. However, as soon as an electrical voltage is applied, the crystals change their orientation, thus eliminating the light rotation.

As a result, the light is blocked by the second polarizing filter, and the corresponding area appears dark. This principle allows for the targeted display of patterns or characters on the screen. An LCD-display-Arduino combination uses this effect to display characters. The microcontroller sends signals to the display to activate or deactivate pixels

The performance of LCD displays is determined by factors such as response time, contrast, brightness, and viewing angle. Modern displays use technologies like IPS or VA for optimization.

How does light polarization work in LCDs?

Light polarization is essential for every Arduino display. Normal light oscillates in all directions perpendicular to its direction of propagation, but a polarization filter only allows oscillations in a specific direction to pass through. In LCD displays, two such filters precisely control the light, resulting in clear and high-contrast images.

LCDs have two polarizing filters with transmission directions offset by 90 degrees. Without liquid crystals, no light would pass through both filters, and the display would remain dark. However, the crystals reverse the polarization direction of the light, allowing it to pass through the second filter. This effect can be controlled by applying an electrical voltage to display bright and dark areas.

In the Arduino LCD display, electrical signals control the crystal orientation. When voltage is applied, the crystals no longer rotate the light, and the area becomes dark. By selectively controlling the crystals, letters, numbers, or graphics are created.

This technology is used in both simple segment displays and complex color displays with RGB filters.

How are the pixels in an LCD display controlled?

To understand how an LCD display is controlled, it's helpful to look at the pixel structure. A pixel is the smallest unit of representation – in monochrome displays, it consists of a single liquid crystal element, while in color displays, it comprises three subpixels (red, green, blue). By precisely controlling the voltage for each subpixel, different colors and brightness levels can be generated, allowing images and text to be displayed.

The display is controlled via a matrix of row and column lines. Small displays allow direct pixel control, while larger ones use multiplexing with row-by-row updates.

The LCD Arduino display communicates via various interfaces: parallel connections, I2C, or SPI. The Arduino sends commands and data to the display controller , which converts these into control signals for the pixels.

For more complex projects, graphic displays with individual pixel control are suitable, enabling user-defined icons or graphics. Libraries significantly simplify programming.

The most important features of an LCD Arduino display are:

• Resolution (characters/pixels)
• Interface type (parallel, I2C, SPI)
• Power consumption (important for battery operation)
• Backlight (improves readability)

The LCD display for Arduino is a proven and versatile component in numerous projects due to its simple control and moderate power consumption. It finds application in various fields, from home automation and measurement and monitoring systems to DIY electronics projects.

Thanks to its straightforward integration with microcontrollers like the Arduino, information such as measurements, status indicators, or user messages can be easily displayed. This makes it particularly popular with developers, tinkerers, and tech enthusiasts who are looking for functional and efficient solutions for their projects.

LCD technology is constantly evolving, with ever-higher resolutions, optimized color reproduction, and faster response times for expanded applications. We are eager to see how these technological innovations will be received and integrated by the art world.

Joachim Rodriguez y Romero

Owner and Managing Director of Kunstplaza . Publicist, editor, and passionate blogger in the fields of art, design, and creativity since 2011. Graduated with a degree in web design from university (2008). Further developed creative techniques through courses in freehand drawing, expressive painting, and theatre/acting. Profound knowledge of the art market gained through years of journalistic research and numerous collaborations with key players and institutions in the arts and culture sector.

www.kunstplaza.de