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In his article Orchestral lighting for fun and profit, Gavin Chait outlines how the revolution-
ary development of LEDs has opened up fresh approaches to façade lighting. All over
the world, media façades have become a major part of the efforts cities make to attract
notice to and even ‘brand’ themselves – as Hong Kong has done with its Symphony of
Lights (hence the title of this article, I assume).
He makes the point that while these façades are sometimes used for the somewhat
cynical purpose of directing gaze away from grimy streets or poorly constructed build-
ings, they can also be creative and interactive; as is the 3D solid state lighting public
art installation at Banco del Crèdito de Peru in Lima. Here, spectators can become
participants in the façade artwork by touching and playing with a podium of LED touch
screen panels that mimic the façade on a smaller scale, to create lighting effects, such
as constellations, rain and fireworks, and thus influence the shows. This interactive and
dynamic lighting installation successfully engages urban dwellers and softens the image
of the financial corporation.
With façade lighting there is always the risk of light pollution and here modern archi-
tectural lighting, which allows for subtler designs, has played a positive role, especially
in instances where professional architects and lighting designers are involved at the
start and able to integrate the façade lighting into a new build rather than attempt to add
interesting lighting onto an existing building. It is under these positive circumstances
that buildings become useful landmarks or what Chait describes as ‘good citizens’ within
the communities in which they are based.
Probably neither for fun nor profit although certainly orchestral in impact, were two
emotive light sculptures that served as commemorative installations during the course
of this year. The Tribute in Light in NewYork and Spectra in London. The Tribute in Light
is produced annually next to the site of the World Trade Center in remembrance of the
September 11 attacks; while Spectra, a light installation by Japanese artist Ryoji Ikeda,
recreated searchlights hunting for planes, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the
start of World War 1. Given the senseless number of attacks on innocent people that
have taken place throughout the world during the course of this year and the number
of countries that have to deal with war and violence on a daily basis, I am certain that
the emotional impact of those light art pieces affected a great many more people than
are still directly impacted by the original events they commemorate. Such is the effect
of art and such is the effect of beautiful light.
This is the last issue of Lighting in Design for 2015. Thank you, our readers and ad-
vertisers, for your support throughout the year. All that remains is for me to join Jenny
Warwick, Adel JvR Bothma and the rest of the Crown team in wishing you happy holidays
and all best wishes for a busy, successful 2016.
Till next time!
Editor: Karen Grant )
Advertising manager: Jenny Warwick )
Layout: Adel JvR Bothma - Circulation: Karen Smith
Cover: Sandton City; Image supplied by Regent Lighting Solutions
Published by Crown Publications cc
PO Box 140, Bedfordview, 2008 - Tel: +27 (0)11 622-4770 Fax: +27 (0)11 615-6108 - Website:
Printed by: Tandym Print
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