Singing Ionised Christmas Tree Powerhouse Museum foyer end-of-year display, developed 1988 and singing aspect added in 1989, open 1988 through 1994   Jesse worked with the Studio of Arts and Sciences to create the interactive Singing ionised Christmas tree for the foyer of the Powerhouse Museum. The tree was a popular holiday season feature from 1988 through 1994. Suspended from its plastic plumbing pipe skeleton were 50 lineal metres of hand worked neon tube branches, glass Christmas tree baubles, candy canes and icicles illuminated with plasma discharge lighting, ultraviolet light activated fluorescent snowflakes and thousands of flashing fairy lights. Christmas presents wrapped in neon ribbon were under the tree and double helixes of neon tubing were in front. Surrounding the tree were interactive plasma filled balls and cylinders which visitors could touch to change the pattern of plasma discharge. This also triggered changing light patterns on the tree and various choral sounds from a synthesiser to make the tree sing in response to the visitors’ actions. Jesse helped arrange sponsorship from James Hardie Industries for the development of the tree. Image reproduced courtesy of the Powerhouse Museum, Sydney. Photo: Penelope Clay Jesse worked with the Studio of Arts and Sciences to create the interactive Singing ionised Christmas tree for the foyer of the Powerhouse Museum. The tree was a popular holiday season feature from 1988 through 1994. Back to Projects