LIGHTFORMS'98 is an international competition and exhibition of the three winning LightArt proposals that will be executed and installed in the Great Hall of the New York Hall of Science, April 16 - May 31, 1998. This will not be the first exhibition of LightArt, but it will perhaps be, the first exhibition of monumental, site-specific, and interactive LightArt in the world. Such an exhibition is possible only because of the uniquely appropriate nature of the Great Hall.
Built to simulate a night-sky for the 1964-65 World's Fair, this awe-inspiring space is forever memorable. Now used as an 8,000 square foot space for traveling exhibitions and special events, the Great Hall is the architectural centerpiece of this internationally recognized, hands-on science museum. Here, "interactivity" is enjoyed by all ages and is key to the learning process at their 185 indoor exhibits. It is therefore, easy to understand why "interactivity" naturally became one of the design requirements for this competition, as their audiences expect this type of activity, even with installations of art.
Coupled with the wide-spread use of micro-processor technology, "interactivity" has already spawned the new media industry as well as dramatically impacted art museums, art-making, and design (including lighting and architecture).
A DEFINITION OF "LightArt"
Any use of the medium of light to create a unique and personally expressive piece of art.
As well as being engaging and aesthetic, this lightwork must be appropriate for the family
and school audience (40,000 public anticipated) that will see this exhibition. Types of
light sources utilized can be as low-tech as fluorescent or incandescent lamps or more
high-tech, such as lasers (non-water cooled), electro- luminescence, and fiber optics.
COMPETITION REQUIREMENTS
To design, and install a lightwork in the Great Hall that is:
- monumental in scale,
- site-specific (would not be appropriate for another location), and
- interactive with the public.
(Competition producers reserve the right to require designs be modified by winners to meet
city electric codes, safety concerns, and availability of equipment.)
DESCRIPTION OF THE GREAT HALL
(see photo) To "feel" this space, imagine a blue, honey-combed cave, or gliding
through space leagues under the sea. Envision a cathedral-like space unfettered by the
visual interruption of vertical or horizontal support beams. No natural light enters this
darkened space, only that which is filtered by chunks of cobalt blue glass embedded into
cells of the grid-like concrete walls. (see cell diagram) The undulating, modular
curtain-wall forms distinct "bays" in the oddly-shaped, 80' tall cylinder room.
The bays vary in shape and size between 10' -15' deep and 20' - 32' wide. (see floor plan)
Click here for a photo of The Great Hall and more details on its history.
MONUMENTAL
Not massive in terms of hardware, fixtures, or amps available, design proposals should
take advantage of the vast scale of the space (80' high x 123' long x 69' widest point).
Think of big impact with economy of design. Only one lightwork will be running at a time,
so therefore, each design may visually use the entire space. Create your design exactly as
you wish it, however, be aware that the winning designs may need to be adapted to enable
all three lightworks to function within the constraints of the site, ie. may need to share
hoop space, etc.
SITE PHOTOGRAPH
This image of "The Dance", a lightwork by Tim Watkins for the exhibition,
SpringWorks: The Pull of Kinetics II, curated by Cynthia Pannucci, was installed in the
Great Hall in 1993. The red, suspended form in the top of the photo is 20' from the floor
and the height of those on the floor are 3' - 4' high.
(Click on photo to see a larger version.)
DIAGRAMS:
Floor-Plan...(with electrical outlets/amps)
Floor-plan shows distances,
location of staging hoops,
and wall outlets (with amps),
plus the shape of the
perimeter wall.
Click on dwg. to see a larger image.
Total Available Electricity: ( 100 amps. for each proposal)
- Along the wall: one 15 amp. circuit + (1/3 of another 15 amp. circuit)
- Elect. Box in apex of room: two 20 amp. circuit breakers (must wire outlets)
- To right of Entrance (1/3 of one 20 amp. circuit has 4 outlets/ 8 recepticles)
- One hoop: two 15 amp. circuits + (1/3 of a shared hoop) Hoop #5 is for a spotlight and
interactive device… most likely not available to artists (see… description in
the Guidelines under… Exhibition: How It Will Work).
** * Make sure to subtract the 20 amps. required for Leprecon's dimmer device from your total to give the balance of 80 amps. for your instruments. Of the three design proposals... only one will be selected that can exceed Leprecon's requirement of keeping all lighting instruments to 500 watts. Slide projectors are not dimmed and will not be affected by this requirement… which makes an extra 20 amps available.
Wall
Cells... (cover entire walls, floor to ceiling)
Each , 3-D, modular, concrete cell unit measures: Height (inside edge): 30"; Height
(outside edge): 32 3/4" Width (inside edge/ concave): 21" ; Width (outside edge/
convex): 26" Depth varies: 11 3/4" - 12 3/4" and 7 1/4" width of
concrete between each cell. Some mounting plugs may be put into the concrete for attaching
conduit; no cuts may be made into the walls. All light
fixtures or lamps positioned on/in the cell walls must have safety wires.
Hoop Units....
There are 5 movable, electrified staging hoops that may be used to mount fixtures,
devices, and interactive sensors. These hoops are identical, have an outside diameter of
13 feet 8 inches, of 1 1/2"black metal tubing and are on the outside perimeter of an
attached, 3" square electrical chase. (see diagrams) All equipment to be secured to
round tubing only, with C-clamps & safety wires. The hoops can be lowered to 6' from
the floor for access, and raised to approx. 75'. When hoop is raised more than 1/2-way to
ceiling, you can see the slack of the electric cable in the downlight. There are two
110-115 volts/15amps/one phase circuits with 8 receptacles per circuit on each hoop. The
maximum allowable weight of the total equipment positioned on each staging hoop is 50 lbs.
(This will be strictly adhered to.)
HOOP DIAGRAMS (not to scale)
CONSTRAINTS OF DESIGN & SITE:
- No drilling, maring, paint or damage to the floor. (dark blue industrial carpet)
- The only floor space for positioning equipment is within a 5' distance from the walls.
- No custom-made mechanical or electrical components or devices.... only off-the-shelf, UL listed theatrical and/or architectural fixtures and approved lamps may be used.
- All wiring must be either dressed (tied-off) and 2-3' off the floor along the wall (short distances) or placed in conduit (long distances), since the entire site is accessible to the public. "Cable trough" may be used for short distances on the floor.
- All electrical work designed by artist/designer/engineer must conform to all applicable local codes and national practice, including NYC Building, Electrical, and Fire codes.
- Equipment should be camouflaged or otherwise hidden from public view unless it is a part of the aesthetic of the work. All reflective top surfaces of equipment should be blackened to not reflectively interfere with the visual effects of the other lightworks.
- There is an echo in the Hall. This could be a positive, however the echo is dampened by the amount of physical bodies inside the Hall at any time and by the interference of their voices. Subtle sounds will not be effective.
INTERACTIVITY
We are looking for..... more than just the public activating or turning-off a set,
pre-programmed scenario. Think of creating a structural framework of the scenario onto
which the public makes choices that result in any one of several aesthetic options that
the scenario allows. Again, keep in mind the mix of ages and family audience. It is
important that there be an immediate and visible (and/or audio) cause/effect created by
each interactive "trigger" programmed into the design scenario. All interactive
devices must be accessible, obvious to the public, and able to withstand thousands of
uses. The scenario for each lightwork can not be longer than 10 minutes.
INTERACTIVE TECHNOLOGY (We will help you)....
One of our major sponsors, Lepreon/CAE, Inc. will collaborate with the three winners to
program their interactive scenarios. Leprecon will be providing: 18 ea LD-340-DMX (four
channel) dimmers. Power input to these dimmers is standard 110-115 volt 20 amps. Output
connectors are standard Edison U-ground type (household). This would allow each designer
24 channels of dimming and would prove the most flexible with regards to power demands and
cabling. The output from the Leprecon control board can go directly to the installation,
rather than through the dimmers if needed. Designers should limit the wattage of their
instruments to 500 watts each. (we can make a few exceptions if someone wishes to use a
few 1000 watt instruments.
EQUIPMENT:
You may specify any off-the-shelf lighting fixtures (architectural or theatrical) and we
will be responsible for getting it for you (or a suitable substitution).
- Please specify extra lamps (UL approved only) to have on-hand for fast maintenance.
- Artist provides list of equipment, we are responsible for getting it from sponsors, etc.
- In conjunction with using light as the primary medium, sound and special effects
equipment such as fog machines, etc. may be used to add to your expressive palette.
INSTALLATION:
April 9, 10, and 11 to install,
Easter Sunday off (optional),
and April 13, 14, and 15 to test, train the "maintainer", work with Leprecon,
and testing with public.
We expect to recruit 2-3 college student helpers per artist. There is a hydraulic Genie
lift available for use by designers during installation; capacity 300 lbs; extends to 45'
from the floor. This is available on a "take-turn" basis during the
installation.
EXHIBITION.... HOW IT WILL WORK:
When the first people enter the dark Great Hall to see the exhibition, there will be a
large shaft of light creating a circle of light on the floor, under staging hoop #5. The
public will naturally walk into this circle of light which will automatically turn off and
a light under one of the other staging hoops will turn on. Upon entering this lightshaft,
the public will find a type of interactive device. It is preferable that this function
with several people rather than just one person at a time. (See Interactivity for other
device requirements.) When the scenario for the first work has ended, the lightshaft will
turn off and another one will turn-on under another staging hoop, ready for interaction
via another device to run the second lightwork and so it will be for the third lightwork.
At the end of this scenario, the lightshaft will turn off and the one under staging hoop
#5 will turn-on, and the consecutive cycle will be once again available for public
interaction. If no one steps into the lightshaft under hoop #5, all the works will take a
"rest" until it is activated by the next members of the public. A small,
interpretive text panel will be located near the interactive lightshafts of each lightwork
describing the scientific or optical uses of light in each lightwork. (This scenario may
be altered to best suit the needs of the three winning proposals.)
JUDGING: (click
here for bios)
Award-winning judges with international reputations: James Carpenter, Don Holder, and
Billie Tsien. The proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria: the nature
of the interaction, feasibility, and concept.
10 Semi-Finalist Proposals will be chosen and then three winners will be invited to install their lightworks in the Great Hall. All ten finalist design proposals will be printed in color and mounted on a wall leading to the exhibition hall.
WINNERS WILL RECEIVE:
- A $5,000 prize (presented at the end of the Opening Reception)
- Equipment: Donated or loaned by our theatrical & architectural lighting Sponsors.
(plus cable, connectors, etc... see Sponsor Product Information at end of Guidelines.)
- A $150 per diem for 8 days (for expenses during installation; April 9-16, 1998)
- 2-3 Helpers (college students) for installation.
- Round-trip airfare (if we can secure a donation for it)
- Auditorium Talk & Presentation by three winners; including past work. (4pm on April
16) before an audience of professionals and students in the lighting and art fields.
- Print Publicity: winners will be announced in full-page ad in Discover Magazine and
photos of their winning lightworks will be included in a Special Gallery Section of
Leonardo Journal (published by MIT Press Journals); as well as editorial coverage is
anticipated by our sponsoring magazines. (see end of guidelines)
- An online version of the exhibition, including all finalists' proposals.
- Exhibition Catalog: 2,000 will be distributed for free.
- NY Media Coverage: like past exhibitions, we anticipate networkTV news coverage.
SCHEDULE:
Design Proposals due: January 10, 1998 (email during Jan. 3-8 ONLY!!!)
Notification of Winners: February 1, 1998
Installation: April 9 - 15, 1998
Installation schedule- 3days install; Sunday off;3 days testing & working with
Leprecon.
Exhibition Opening: April 16 (Panel Presentation- 4-5:30pm; Reception- 6-8pm)
APPLICATION PROCESS (there is no application fee)
SEND TO US: (digital files & email
preferable)
1) A resume (1 page...recent info.) (in English via email message; not as an attachment!) asci@asci.org
2) A URL address (homepage) where your previous work may be seen. (optional) (If not in English, send email message of short descriptions for each photo.)
or send via regular mail to arrive by Jan. 8th:
10 labeled slides and/or VHS video (US standard) no more than 15 minutes long documenting
previous work. A written description for video if no English narration. Mail to: ASCI, PO
Box 358, Staten Island, NY 10301, USA.
Materials will not be returned without return postage.
3) Digital image files of your design proposal.
- An illustration or drawing may be executed in any conventional media, and then taken to
a "service bureau" or Kinkos to be scanned and saved in one of the formats below
or create a computer graphic image of your proposed lightwork. (horizontal or vertical
format, approx. 4"x 6" size) If selected as a finalist, you will be asked to
save the image in highest resolution & send on a disk, as it will be reproduced for
wall-mounting and/ or in the catalog (three winners).
- 4 thumbnails (image changes in your scenario) 3"x2" (optional)
- Compress the files (no larger than 80K each @ 72 dpi ONLY!)
- ***Be sure the file name is no more than 8 characters plus one of the following
extensions:
.eps or .tif or .jpg (This is very important!!!)
Put the file name in the message of the email.
- Send digital proposals via email attachment to: asci@asci.org
From January 3 - 8, 1998 ONLY !!!
- The EMAIL MESSAGE must include the following information:
LIGHTFORMS'98 APPLICATION, your name, address, country, phone, fax, email address, and the
name of the files attached; are you sending slides or video via regular mail?
- You may include a Mac or PC disk of image files if you are already sending slides and/or video to the Staten Island, NY address. (optional) Do not send the original artwork. (either email or scan original to disk)
4) Written Description: (1 paragraph; max.200 words)
Describe the lightwork in terms of: concept, visuals, monumental and site-specific nature.
5) Written Interactive Scenario (max. 200 words) or Diagram:
Describe the chain of events in the scenario (number each step & amount of time for
each)....
how will the audience interact with the work and what are the various options that can
result? The maximum length of each lightwork's scenario is 10 minutes.
6) List of Materials and Equipment Specifications:
Make a list of the specific lamps, fixtures, interactive device, special effects
equipment, cable, connectors, tape, etc. you wish to use, as well as the quantity, cost,
and the watts of each.
7) Electrical Scheme Diagram: (Send by FAX)
Using the Floor-Plan of the Great Hall (copy and print from these Guidelines), diagram the
layout of your electrical scheme, including notations for: type of cable, connectors,
fixtures, bulbs, and other components that will be used. We must make sure not overload on
the circuits. Send your diagram to ASCI via FAX at: 1 718 815 1613 . Put the words:
Lightforms and your Name at the top of the Fax.
8) Are there any unique requirements of your installation? (Please send in email.)
DIGITAL FILES and ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION via the
Internet....
We are sure that a nearby college lighting design or architecture class would be eager to
help you meet these requirements. This will be fully-required in future years, as the
World Wide Web is the most efficient mode of distance image transmission, and this design
and event is also about interactivity.)))
CONTACT INFO: Application questions:
tel.718 816-9796; fax. 718 815-1613; asci@asci.org
Press: Michael Walker at the New York Hall of Science, 718 699-0005
PROJECT CONCEPT and DEVELOPMENT:
Cynthia Pannucci, Director of ASCI
THE NEW YORK HALL OF SCIENCE (co-producer)
Visit the New York Hall of Science, one of America's best science museums, and interact
with over 185 exhibits which provide fun, learning experiences for everyone! Find truly
exciting things to do like composing and playing music with just your shadow, floating in
an "anti-gravity" mirror, and viewing an amazing world of microbes inside a drop
of pond water! For more information call (718) 699-0005 or visit our website at: www.nyhallsci.org.