The evolution of light and technology has been illuminated by an artist using a simple light bulb and the Australian Synchrotron.

Melbourne-based multimedia artist Chris Henschke has also connected the facility to its outside environment by ensuring it resonates with the sound of a cicada.

Henschke, from RMIT University, says during his time at the Australian Synchrotron he wanted to expand on a desire to show artistically how science has grown.

"I wanted to use the synchrotron to illuminate an old light bulb and look at it as many different ways as I can," he says.

Henschke describes the tungsten filament light bulb as the great-grandfather of the synchrotron.

"Ironically it is about to become obsolete [under government plans to phase out domestic use], but one day the synchrotron will also become obsolete," he says.