By Steve Oldfield
NKyTribune staff writer
Covington Artist makes fourth colorful contribution to BLINK Covington artist Dan Shields is making an unprecedented fourth straight appearance in the BLINK Festival, with an interactive installation that combines fluorescent yarn with lights and lasers.
Shields describes it as “a sandbox for people to find their own inner creative.”
Visitors actually get to play with the yarn, creating an ever-evolving work of art. He’s calling it, “String Theory for dummies 2.0,” inspired by his popular installation at Washington Park for BLINK in 2022. This time, his work is located at the new Elm Street Plaza, next to the Convention Center in Cincinnati.
“Dan has a wonderful way of taking familiar spaces and making us see them differently. His yarn installations have already left their mark across our region, and String Theory for Dummies 2.0 brings a whole new dimension to that work,” said Leslie Mooney, BLINK executive director.” It’s a great example of what makes BLINK special: local artists using unexpected materials and big ideas to transform the places we think we know.”
The work features 34 light fixtures with UV capabilities and a custom-made UV laser that will light up acrylic yarn in fluorescent colors. Shields estimates that by the end of the festival, the exhibit will have featured at least 15 miles of yarn. Visitors get to touch, twist and even throw the yarn, creating a constantly changing work.
“Every person has something unique to add to the conversation,” Shields said. He especially enjoys watching kids who’ve always been told to not touch a work of art. When they’re at his booth, they can let loose and be themselves.
“I got started years ago playing with yarn at a musical festival with friends and that inspired me,” Shields said. “ If one person is inspired even in a small way to explore their own creativity, I’ve done my job.”
His job hasn’t always been creating art. Shields, 36, worked in public relations after graduating from the University of Kentucky with degrees in Creative Advertising and Cognitive Science. A visit to the first BLINK in 2017 inspired him to get involved.
Since then, he has been accepted into every festival (2019, 2022, 2024, 2026) with interactive works. His 2024 installation was a collaboration with BLINK creatives and the staff at Findlay Market to celebrate the historic locale.
“If it wasn’t for BLINK, I would probably still be sitting in a cubicle wondering if life could be better,” Shields said.
His success at the festival gave him the confidence to make the leap into an art career. He now creates websites and says art projects account for about half his yearly income. The exposure at BLINK has led to commissioned works all over the country and Shields is currently working on several pieces for a festival in Miami called Terp Basel, December 4.
In addition to getting gigs from BLINK, Shields has made friends with other artists from all over the world who are taking part in the festival here.
“This year, I’ve met an incredible projectionist from Hungary and artists from Chicago and San Francisco,” he said. “The ability of BLINK to pull in talent from across the US and world is beautiful.”
Shields says that while BLINK features beautiful works of art, one of the main goals for the festival and his work is to make art accessible – and fun.
“There are no right or wrong answers,” Shields said. “Grab a ball of yarn and get at it!”
The free BLINK Festival runs nightly from 7-11 p.m. in Covington and Cincinnati from October 8-11.
