Prize(s) Winners in Outdoor Light Art Installation
Lighting Design/Product Company Duncan Meerding
Lead Designers Duncan Meerding
Client Vivid Sydney
Photo Credits Michele Warner
Completion Date May 2023
Project Location Sydney - Barangaroo Reserve
Entry DescriptionStep into a world of randomised light pattern and evocative light vessels. ‘Light Forest’, as first shown at Vivid Sydney 2023 showcased the newly released Trunk Lights with their smaller sibling the Stump light.
The over all effect was to create a space for quiet contemplation, drawing inspiration from the dappled light often found under a forest canopy. Each light vessel was created utilising the natural features of each trunk or stump section, creating beauty from something that is often associated with waste - the cracks in timber.
This vision of light bursting from the periphery represents both the salvaged nature of the materials used, but also the alternative sensory world from which I design, being legally blind with less than 5% vision concentrated around the peripheral field.
forest canopy.
6 of these Trunk lights were arranged around a grassy area at the reserve, near the water’s edge, 1 at 80cm height, 1 at 1.6, 2 at 1.2 and 2 at 2metres height. Alongside the Trunk lights, 40cm high Stump Lights were arranged, and with the varying widths of the light vessels a truly organic light art installation was created. The installation, the way it was set up, was not only intended to look at from a distance, but it was set up in a way to encourage the observer to walk through and truly interact with the overall installation, weaving through and around the Trunk circle.
Sustainability ApproachThe core inspiration behind this design is creating something beautiful from what is often associated with waste - the cracks in timber. The timber chosen, Macrocarpa Pine, is often felled in farmlands or other areas as it can dead - limb and as a result this introduced species is in ready supply as a salvaged material. The timber has many natural features which adds to its beauty but the timber was also chosen for its faster growing and rot resistant properties.
The bases we used have since been used for other installations and we also finish the entire item with a non toxic hard wax oil, allowing for future clients to be able to re - coat as needed, without hazard to them.
We made our own low glare custom light source, which threw uniform light throw up the entire crack without excessive power input, due to our careful election of LED technology and other components.
Company DescriptionI am a lighting and furniture Designer/Maker based in Tasmania, Australia. Much of my work is inspired by the natural environment. Concentration on overall form, rather than intense detailing, with an interest in how light performs through and around these forms and materials, is of interest to me. This light emanating from the periphery reflects the alternative sensory world in which I design, being legally blind with less than 5% vision.
I try to avoid quick moving trends in my work, but instead focus on designing and making things to stand the test of time, both metaphorically& physically.
