By Haley Kim
One of the most peculiar and fascinating hobbies out there is gloving. The mesmerizing way the little light bulbs dance around a performer’s fingertips creates an illuminating, almost hypnotizing effect on one’s brain. Glovers use specially designed LED gloves to create intricate patterns and illusions, often performing their routine with music. Although gloving is relatively unfamiliar to many people, its growing popularity on social media platforms and captivating visual performance make this art form worth exploring.
The practice of gloving began in the late 1990 and early 2000’s within electronic dance music (EDM), stemming from older arts such as twirling glow sticks. The art has recently gained viral attention as an internet meme on TikTok, and now everyone seems to want to get their hands on it. Gloving has now slowly evolved from its EDM roots and is transitioning into a new form of dance performance and self-expression. Different techniques such as the finger roll, waves, and liquid movements can be combined to make creative routines, with each performer cultivating their own unique personal style.
As social media continues to introduce this form of art to new audiences, this once “niche” art will likely continue to evolve and capture the attention of people around the world. If you’re looking for a new hobby to try, perhaps challenge yourself with a pair of LED gloves and see where your creativity takes you.
