Week 10: Site Specific Blog, The Spectrum

For the site specific study, I went to the Spectrum. It was an interesting time to go since they had put up all of their holiday lights! Overall, in the two areas I focused on, the designer's ideas seemed to be cozy, warm and comfortable. Their were chairs to sit in and lights with warm colors. In this regard, the overall feel of the area was successful to me.

I came across one shop, Anthropologie, that continued this look. While I may be a bit partial to this store, I can also see it offers soft colors with warm decorations. Not only did it succeed in this feeling with its lighting, but it seemed to fit in in this area of the Spectrum. (though my picture doesn't do it justice.)

I will say, however, See's Candies stood out to me and not in a good way. The harsh cool white lighting with little color didn't invite me to come in for candies or chocolates. While I saw the designer may be going for clean, fresh, modern looking, it looked uninviting. In addition, it seemed to not fit in with the surrounding stores that displayed warm looks.

This was definitely an interesting exercise to see realize why there have been certain stores I hadn't even noticed while others I've gravitated to. This had me looking at lighting in a stylistic way for stores instead of artistic ways for the stage.

Spelling of Choreographer in Dance 287 Blog Title

P.S. I have been trying to figure out how to change the title of the entire blog so "choreographers" is spelled correctly, and also kept forgetting to mention it in case we didn't have the capability as students to modify the title of the blog. So now that the course is over and it doesn't matter, I just remembered to mention it. That is all.

Week 10: !!!!!!! spectrum

For my final blog, and my site specific blog assignment, I went to the Irvine Spectrum. With the holiday season upon us, it was interesting to try and identify what the designers of the location had wanted to accomplish, not what the designers of the holiday lights wanted to accomplish.

 

These pictures embody the overall environment that I think the designers were trying to accomplish. From previous observations of the Spectrum, I realized the architectural design follows a fairy-tale light Arabic architectural pattern, from the large round archways opening to a paradisaical path. The general lighting at the Spectrum goes along with the same theme. In these pictures, the lights emphasize the circular shape of the expansive archway(s), and though not shown in these pictures, lantern like lights transport the visitor to a different place and an earlier time. During the day, Flag like fabric hung in chains prevents the sun from overheating, while at night, these fabrics are illuminated, expanding on the attempted Arabic feel. The holiday lights on the two rows of palm trees bejewel, create a feeling of wealth, and expands the path.

After roaming around the entirety of Spectrum, I found that this little Santa Shack is particularly successful. Assuming it is not up all year, this little show seems to attempt to create an imaginative, joyful, "North-pole-like" feel to the "store." Although not actually a real store, but a place decked out with Orange Country themed holiday things, and the place where I can meet the Orange County Santa, I thought that the set up and the lighting of the store really captured the carefree, fun, yet Chirstmas-centered feel the designers probably were trying to get across. The circular bottom of the spot light directed the attention of the passerby to the shop, and the gobo highlighted the holiday feel. The mini led Christmas lights on and around the shop created just enough color to be recognized from far away.

A store that I felt was unsuccessful in portraying what it appeared to have attempted to portray was this jewelry store (I don't know the name). I believe that the pearl like lights on the edge of the display cases was an attempt to give of a graceful and delicate impression. However, the overexposed look of the inside, and the direct light shining not only onto the jewelry but inside the entire store created more of a tacky feel. There was nothing intimate or personal about the store, and the abundance of sparkling jewelry heightened the exaggerated feel of the display. 

As a closing, I really enjoyed the atmosphere of Spectrum tonight. It took me out of my over tired state, and the lavish holiday lights along with the holiday music playing in the background lifted my spirit. It did help that I had good company :)

Week 10: Last one and done.

This picture represents the overall feeling of The Irvine Spectrum for me because there is a lot going on, especially because of the holiday season. I have been to this location once before and there were already a lot of lights. Now that Christmas is upon us, there are extra festive lights. I think the designers were trying to create a spectacle for the shopping or eating experience. People like lights. There are lighting ceremonies to which people flock, i.e. the Christmas lighting ceremony in downtown Chicago draws a huge crowd every year no matter what the weather is like. Lights can add a special feeling to the atmosphere, and I think that is a big part of the goal. Shoppers of all ages only need to go to one place for an evening out for a full experience. Whether or not it is successful will depend on the individual. Personally, I, like many others, enjoy seeing a variety of lights. I think the lights were cohesive in many of the common areas, i.e. all palm trees had same type of lighting and matched the ferris wheel. In this picture, the movie theater is a bit much and doesn't mesh as well with the rest of the environment, but I am assuming the designers there wanted the theater to stand out, and it does. I am a "less is more" type of person, so I think that overall the Spectrum is nicely lit, but I wouldn't mind a little less.

 This window display for Anthropologie works really well for me. I am quite familiar with this store.........and I think the display is an accurate representation of the feel of it. It is unique, eye catching, detailed, and pleasing to look at. It frames the clothing in a manner that is cohesive with the products sold. From the shape of the window and it's line details to the lights in the decorative element, this store appropriately and successfully designs the aesthetic of the company. And being familiar with it, I can say they are also consistent in their designs.

 The design of this children's store was unsuccessful for me because of its plain nature. More simple designs can definitely work for certain retail stores depending on the product, but I think that there is a lot of room to be creative when it comes to products for children. I think children's clothing and other items necessitates a louder design than this. If I had a reason to buy something for a child, it would not be the design that would entice me to enter the store and purchase something, but rather a need to buy something for a child. I think that is a mistake on the company's part because a well-designed storefront will absolutely catch the eye of potential customers and draw them into the store.

________

This picture is more of a postscript...

I actually thought this one was the best, but I think Boroka is using it, so wanted to choose something different. It's so fun! Where is the gobo coming from?!?!?! haha.

Week 10 - Unnerving or soothing? Bright light in shop designs

Southern California Christmas. That's the feeling that one gets when visiting the Irvine Spectrum at this time of year. Palm trees covered in twinkle lights, loud, catchy Christmas music, and even a beach hut photos-with-Santa booth. There is not one sparkly light spared in this set up, and final impression works very well in conveying the Christmas spirit.

The visual displays of the shops at the Specturm vary wildly. Old Navy is the typical budget department store with generic window displays and harsh lighting. Although the store may be aiming, with cheerful, if generic, colors and photos of smiling children, to entice shoppers to enter, the sharpness of the florescent lights any positive effects the other aspects of the window displays might have. The contemplation of the entering the store is accompanied by the feeling of  a chore rather than the therapeutic retail experience that one wants to encounter while shopping. 

The Skin Food shop, a few doors down, presents an interesting contrast to Old Navy. The overall lighting for the shop is still "white" and bright but a more natural feel is achieved by manipulating the lights. Instead of being cold and exhausting, this lighting is inviting and calming. The designer managed to create a gentle feeling with the lights even though the level of the lights is bright. I think that this is achieved partly through the type of light used (nor florescent) and partly through the use of intermittent, circular pools of light that make a kind of dappled effect, like sunlight, on the furniture and floor of the shop. All-in-all the lighting for Skin Food inspires a feeling of crisp cleanliness while, at the same time, remaining soothing and inviting, all of which connects well to the concept of beauty products.

Week 10: Turns Out I'm a Terrible Photographer

On Sunday I went to Disneyland with my family! After about 8 hours of some intense family time I felt it was time for a little homework break at Downtown Disney.  Maybe it was the Christmas displays but as I walked around I found many good example of lighting.  I had many stores to choose from for good lighting but I really wanted to find an impressive bad lighting example.  My pictures of good/bad business lighting didn't turn out that clear but I'll try to explain thoroughly what was good and bad about each experience!

What you see above is an example of good lighting.  The store is the Build-a-Bear Workshop store.  The first picture is the one that I took and the second is a little bit clearer picture that I found on yelp to help illustrate my point!  As you can see from the photo the store looks very inviting especially to little kids.  They use bright colors and lighting that focuses on the fun display.  The lights used on the inside of the store are very warm as opposed to the cooler neon lights that are used on the outside of the store. Perhaps the lighting designer was trying to create that warm comforting feeling you get when you are a little kid and you cuddle with your teddy bear!

Okay…so this photo doesn't really do this bad lighting example justice but if the person who designed this Sunglass Hut was trying to recreate the brightness of the sun in a super-small space then they succeeded!  The brightness of this store was so overwhelming that I knew when I saw it that it was some bad lighting.  I guess it could be a marketing ploy…as you walk into the small kiosk you physically need to try on sunglasses so you don't go blind from the many florescent lights that are shining on you and reflecting from the mirrors!

And here is a picture of Steve (he did silly photos in every ride photo!), my sister and I on Space Mountain!  Happy Holidays Everyone!!!!

Week 10 - From Classy to Trashy

I went to the Irvine Spectrum to do this lighting evaluation and just before going to write this post I looked at the blog to see what other had been done so far. The first one I looked at was Christian's and guess what. . . I DID THE EXACT SAME STORES AS HIM!!!!!! What are the chances?!?! I saw the pictures he posted and decided not to read what he wrote so that I can give my uninfluenced response to what I saw while at the Spectrum. Here goes. . .

Casey's Cupcakes

This store is the epitome of elegance and charm. And the lighting definitely compliments and completes it! There is a lot of pink in the decor of the store and the lighting designer was smart to use warm white light to soften the pink and brighten the atmosphere. The lighting fixtures add to the elegance of the store. The chandelier and marquee style lights around the menu are bright and inviting so that potential customers walking by will be drawn to the store and want to peek inside. The hanging lanterns create a more subdued effect over the countertops so that the customer's experience with the employee has more of an intimate and personal feeling.

One of the most important things I have learned from this class is that cool colors are needed to balance out warm colors in lighting and I think the lighting designer of this store did this brilliantly! The display case housing the beautifully crafted cupcakes stands out with it's icy blue lighting that contrasts the warm pink tones in the rest of the store. Your eye is drawn to the product they are selling, which is exactly what is needed in order for this store to thrive and succeed in business!

I give the lighting designer for Casey's Cupcakes an A+!!!

Charlotte Russe

Oh, Charlotte Russe. . . Based on the lighting and decor of your store, you should be out of business. Alas, you lure customers in with your cheap prices and deceive those with an untrained artistic eye into thinking you are stylish with your ill advised attempts to create appealing store front window displays. I shake my fist at you! 

What seems to be happening in this display is a representation of the flashiness of the holiday season. Gold and glitter is the look I think they are trying to pull off. Unfortunately, it did not work. The gold advertisements representing tree ornaments are lit with yellow tinted light to try and enhance the gold effect. In fact, these lights are used all across the front display - on the ads, on the bald mannequins, on the wall, it's everywhere. And there is nothing contrasting it! It's just flat down lighting across the board! Behind one of the mannequins are a few strands of lights hanging down, which I imagine is trying to aid the flashy holiday season look. But why would you just hang that one set? Why not add more  strands across the back to create a separation of the front display from the rest of the store behind it? 

What is not evident in these photos is something that struck me as very odd. In the pictures the light seems yellowish, however, in person there also seemed to be a green tint going on. I thought that perhaps they were trying to slightly match the green Charlotte Russe logo and if that's the case it was a mistake. The mannequins looked slightly sickly and it just felt off as a whole. These pictures look a lot better than what it was like in person. 

Overall, I give the lighting designer of Charlotte Russe a D. 

This was a really interesting assignment and it really helped me to think about lighting in terms of what it can relate to potential customers. As choreographers, audience members are our customers, and given that knowledge, we need to be able to work with lighting designers to create lighting that matches our choreographic intentions and relates our intentions to our audience. Gotta leave them wanting more! :-)

Week T E N ... "I always believe that the sky is the beginning of the limit" MC Hammer

I felt it fitting to wrap up my lighting blog with a photo of the sky, since I started my first post with one. I also felt it humorous that the photos quite accurately represent my state of mind at the moment the photos were taken. Going back to week ONE we have: 

In this photo I see curiosity, intrigue, mystery, a sense of calm, an excitement for what is to come, and a multi-layered and multi-colored investigation of space and dynamic … AKA week ONE …………… 

Moving on to week TEN, I captured this the other day:

Yup … it happened …. my brain is on fire . In the sky and on the clouds, the brilliant red/orange light conveys vitality, spirit, festivity, warmth, and passion, however my current state of schoolwork-induced stress convinces me to see it as burning, alarming, intense, angry, and catastrophic (ok, that last one may be a bit dramatic, but you get the picture … haha …no pun intended … haha). Within this conflicting reaction, I remember our discussions of how emotions can control how we see things and how light can lead us astray at times. This intense hue is really quite versatile. I’ve witnessed it conveying love, desire, and sexuality, but I’ve also witnessed it conveying tension, frustration, and rage. For a brief moment it took my breath away, but then the intensity became uncomfortable and harsh. The looming darkness from above felt down pressing and consuming. It really is an amazingly beautiful sunset ... even if my mental state wants to turn it against me and make my reaction more negative than positive. 

It is my hope to revisit this picture in one week and begin to feel the warm spirit of the season ;) 

On a side note: I have seen so many wonderful photos of sunrises and sunsets in our blogs ... we should do a compilation of them! 

Week 10: The Spectrum is a Spectacle

For my site specific blog I chose to write about my experience at the Irvine Spectrum. Recently I have used this outdoor mall as a  retreat from the rigors of my campus life. My senses are stimulated while walking, shopping, socializing and dining in its splendor. I specifically like going to The Spectrum at night because of the ambiance created by the lighting.I will discuss what I feel the lighting designers were trying to accomplish based on specific feelings the lighting design elicited from me. I will be specifically discussing the feelings I experience from the effect of the lighting during the evening since that is when I visit most often.  

When I first drive up to the Spectrum I get a feeling of excitement. It is not an overwhelming feeling of giddiness but a feeling of energy and joy due to the stimulus of color and vast amounts of light. The lighting of the movie theatre could be viewed as somewhat garish to some. However, I get a feeling of Hollywood ( lights,camera, action) and an explosion of excitement form the movie theater...Yes, the movie theater reminds me of an explosion of color that creates a feeling of jubilance. I am attracted to its opulence and shine. In my opinion,  the lighting designer made the movie theater the focal point of the mall. It is the point where the fire is ignited and metaphorically speaking the point where the fireworks originate. It appears as if the lighting designer wanted the lights to originate from the movie theater like an explosion and disperses like a firework display sprinkling down into the other locations of the mall.  

For example the Ferris Wheel is a big "dropping point" of light that creates of feeling of carnival while another "dropping point" is the Merry- Go- Round that creates a sense of childhood. Not all of the "dropping points" or larger spectacles of light were as high energy or "in your face." The lighting designer also created some more subdued, beautiful effects that I feel soothed me as a patron of the mall.  The tree lighted walkways gave me a feeling of serenity and awe. It seemed that the designer was thinking of couples who come to the mall and want a somewhat romantic experience. There are other calming moments like the lion head fountain that gives a feeling of relief from all of the visual stimulation.

In essence I think the lighting designers created an environment that excites those who want to be stimulated to shop, dine and entertained. In addition, they created moments of calm for those patrons who want a more relaxed mall experience. From my adventures
at the Irvine Spectrum I would definitely say that the lighting designers achieve their goal. They have created an environment that makes its patrons want to continually come back for more experiences and to spend their money.

A Dead Spot

Walking around the Irvine Spectrum usually brings me great joy however there are moments when I feel I walk into "dead zones."" Dead zones" to me are areas where there is no energy or life in the environment. The women's apparel store charlotte russe  had very little life due to flat, poor lighting. The theme of the store is fun, youthful women's apparel. The clothing worn by the mannequins in the window seemed hip and  geared toward a fashion conscious young woman. The display window had snowflakes and the phrase winter wonderland across it denoting bright, happy and joyous. Conversely, the feeling I got from the lighting was depressing and dismal. The lighting made me envision a lonely slushy winter. 

There was very little illumination outside of the store which created a dark, ominous feeling for me as a patron of the mall. The darkness gave me a feeling that something dangerous was lurking in the shadows ready to grab any passerby. I did not get an inviting felling from the store because the lack of illumination created a division between myself and the store that I didn't want to cross. I wouldn't normally go in there because its women's clothing but that is besides the point. Overall, I felt that lighting for charlotte russe contradicted the fun clothing inside the store. The lighting was not fun, inviting or wintery enough. On the contrary, the lighting or lack there of  created a dismal, dark, uninviting and scary feeling. I now see how bad lighting could equate to bad business.

The Store You Could Eat

I actually think the lighting for Casey's Cupcakes is even sweeter than the yummy desserts.  I love to look at this store. The viewer is enticed to enter the Parisian based cafe because it almost looks edible  due to the clarity of the lights.The theme of the store seems to be light, fun, and happy based on the feeling I get from the bright lighting design and color palette of the cupcake boutique. The soft white lighting accents the bright colors the store and the beauty of the cupcakes. The lighting in the cupcake case is somewhat cooler feeling and contrasts the warmth of the rest of the store. I got the sense that the lighting designer made the cupcakes the star of the show by contrasting the cool cupcakes with the warm environment. The warmth of the boutique gave me the sense of grandma's kitchen mixed with Barbie's Playhouse. This would make sense since the owner of the store looks like a Barbie but makes cupcakes like grandma. The use of chandeliers gives the cupcake boutique a feeling of Hollywood elegance. The lighting designer was effective in not only drawing me into the store to buy a cupcake ( or three) but captured the essence of the business, it's owner and made the product of primary focus. This cupcake store is a go to at The Irvine Spectrum but if you are on a diet I warn you to stay far away because the lighting  design  has a way of pulling you in. 

Week 9 - Maybe I'm just tired?

Picking up Alana from the airport this evening, I stopped at a red light behind this car. I found myself wondering if the car had a brighter turn light than usual because I was flinching every time it flashed. It felt so harsh and sharp. Contemplating the back of the car, I started to see a somewhat sinister face staring back at me with it's one offensive, flashing eye.

It actually reminded me of this stained glass scene from Chartres cathedral in France:

Which if you turn it around, looks like this:

Although I don't usually think "scary and oppressive" when I think of stained glass windows, but maybe, just this once, the car lights to the devilish face in the Chartres window translate to a cold, cavernous space, like an empty cathedral, created on stage with the flickering hints of reds, yellows, and blue suggesting far off light passing through the colored windows.

Or maybe I'm just tired ...

Week 9: Lights are Practical and Cool!

I realized tonight that lighting is very important for practical reasons like seeing where you are going at night!  This is a picture of the ground on campus.  It shows the light brightly at the source then darkening as it gets further away.  When the lighting is not good in a space it makes getting around very difficult.  The darkness creates feelings of being unsure of my footing and makes my senses heightened like something might jump out at me.   I often find myself making my way to the nearest light source like a bug to a lamp!  If I've learned anything this quarter it's that lights are really cool and create moods and worlds within our choreography.  In the regular world outside of dance they also create moods and worlds sometimes just more on a practical level.

Week 9: Tall Beacons

I had to take a picture of these tall beacons of light. There sheer size alone gave me a feeling of their strength and power. The fluorescent white light that comprised the main body of these structures seemed to be contained and restrained. I got the feeling that if released the white light could spread in all directions piercing through anything in its path. This feeing may also come from the fact that they reminded me of giant light sabers from Star Wars.
The colored toppers of these tall illuminated structures gave them character.They seemed to stand like tall men with hats on. The red characters seemed to be more vibrant and happy than the blue characters. It goes to show how colors denote emotion. The outlines of the solid, dark designs near the "heads" of the figure are enhanced by the brightness of the colored lights. It almost appears as if they are wearing lace collars. The more I look at the structures the more dangerous I feel they appear. Their beauty attracts but looks like they would burn if touched.

Week 9: 'Tis the Season

Today we put up some Christmas lights in our apartment to prepare for holiday festivities : ). Once they were plugged in and I stepped away, I couldn't help but feel warmth and happiness. It also makes the apartment feel more festive and lively! While it will be hard to say no to holiday music and cocoa in order to study and wrap up the quarter, it is definitely worth it. We may be away from our friends and family and the weather may feel like it is September, however even the simple lights help if feel like the holiday season. Crazy how much it makes a difference!

Week 9: Paper Cranes

I was walking in downtown LA last week one night, when I walked under this scaffolding decorated with lots of small identically sized paper cranes. It was super interesting to see a random scaffolding not only decorated, but decorated by something so time consuming to create! It left an air of mystery since there was no sign of who set up this piece of art. What I really enjoy about this was the way some of the cranes were lit while some were only half lit or not at all. The florescent light source was strong enough to illuminate most of the birds, and as I walked back and forth underneath them, it was really interesting to see how the layout of cranes illuminated in my line of vision changed. The fact that the paper is white really highlighted the difference between illuminated parts and non-lit parts (which then i related to how important costuming is). 

It made me think how the appearance of motion can be created without any movement by the dancers. It also made me think of my thesis ideas, since I will be doing more of an installation type piece where the audience walks around. Either dances or similar paper object would be really interesting to experiment with using lights and moving audience members. 

Week NINE ... The Engaging, The Inviting, and The "What the heck were you thinking?"

For my site specific blog, I visited the Block in Orange. Thinking I would be hard pressed to find things that spoke to me, I wandered the aisles shooting random "this could work" shots until, low and behold, they appeared; the "wow that's nice!" and the "what the heck?" visual and lighting elements I was looking for.

I found the overall atmosphere to be welcoming, friendly, calming, and very appealing. There was a generous feeling of activity and frenzy (obviously the holiday shopping season helped with that) combined with a sense of invitation to rest, take a load off, do some people watching, and enjoy the So Cal weather. I felt the designers wanted to establish an environment that inspired spontaneity while ensuring security and developing curiosity. Neon and bright store front signage invited passersby to come in for a look at interesting goods and services, while well lit landscape elements called out to shoppers to pause for  a moment, have a seat, and enjoy the view. The outdoor setting included occasional base lit palm trees that projected a clam and serene ambiance. It felt like a place where everyone wanted to be, and a great place to occupy a fun filled Saturday evening with friends or loved ones. The overall lighting design was extremely effective in creating energy, intrigue, and a sense of being in a widely desired place, and it drew me effortlessly in to the heart of the shopping mecca.

A business that I felt achieved successful lighting design was the "Finish Line" athletic store. In this design, I saw a wonderful example of what we often talk of in class; warm and cool living harmoniously. From the design, the overall theme of the store read "be inspired to reach sky high while you leap boundlessly through life!" It promoted energy, volume, and forward motion. The easy to read signage was dramatic and engaging. The light specials shooting upwards felt celebratory yet serene and the various shades of blue added depth and intrigue. Contrasted yet supported by the blue, the warm amber interior glowing peacefully underneath promoted an open space with a feeling of  invitation. The light drew me in as it highlighted a well organized, well kept, and non cluttered line of clothing and accessories. The window displays were lit from overhead with a slightly lighter and cleaner light that perfectly captured the colors and textures of the merchandise. I appreciated that neither the warm nor the cool were overpowering. They lived effortlessly and allowed me to breathe while I took it all in.

While looking for businesses with a less successful lighting scheme, I was overcome with the many choices. There was the perfume shop that was lit so stark and bright that I felt it might burn my retinas if I did not look away. There was the massage shop that sought to create a zen-type, peaceful, low lit atmosphere in the interior, yet had a giant neon sign in bright yellow and blue hanging over the doorway that screamed at me as I walked by (well not literally, but you get my drift haha).

But the clear winner in the "What the heck were you thinking?" design category, was an honor bestowed to the Holister store. The designer clearly tried to produce a trendy and hipster look, with a "you're missing out if you don't come in" and "this is where the cool people hang out" vibe. It wanted to invite me in by sparking my curiosity to explore the dark and unknown, but all it really did was invite me to look away and keep walking (well in this particular instance, stop and take pictures and begin thinking about all of the ways I can describe how bad it was). Ahhhh ... Where do I begin??? Firstly, it looked like a shop that had possibly gone out of business. It had NO exterior lights, was colored in dark paint with a trim of mustard yellow, had no architectural interest, and looked small and insignificant. Only when I passed precisely adjacent to the door and alcove/entrance could I see the poorly placed, poorly lit, and poorly calligraphed signage, and if any random passerby walked in my path, my ability to see the signage was completely obstructed. There was dim, flat light peeking through the small slits of windows, though the shutters at the top of the windows allowed even less light to pass through. The only light illuminating this store front came from neighboring business and the street lamps that lined the walkway. Secondly, it felt squatty and down pressing, like I may have to crouch down and crawl through the store (haha). The facade had no element of lift or elevation or sparked any interest whatsoever. The whole store front seemed like it wanted to hide. Thirdly, I could not make out any of the merchandise and had no idea what kind of goods were being sold. Definitely not an income producing approach in my opinion. During the time while I was here, not one person entered this store.

A side by side for your viewing pleasure ..... or displeasure

 

And there you have it .... My lighting design critique of The Block of Orange!

Settimana 9: Il Grande Finale

I wanted to post a picture of fireworks I took to go with this blog; however, I haven't seen any fireworks, nor have I gone to Disneyland so.....here is a non-fireworks picture.

I like a lot of things about this picture: the brick wall, the design of the sconce, the wood wall adjoining the brick side, and of course the shadows created by the light. (And the canted angle of the picture, which was my choice :) I like the warmth of the various colors combined with the sharp structure of the sconce and shadows. Because of the design of the light fixture, the light cuts through the space in a really cool way. I think it would be really interesting to play with all of theses elements for a piece, in an environment that isn't a proscenium stage, just to change it up a bit.

Addendum:

Here is my substitute for a firework finale. Enjoy.

Me and Raffa.

Week 9 - "Sacred Leaf"

While on campus, I was drawn to a light that was off in the distance a ways from where I was sitting. The scenery was beautiful and serene and in the distance I noticed one tree that was illuminated. On that tree was a solitary leaf that seemed to glow in the sunlight. It stood out so much because of the dappled shadows that were surrounding the tree as well as myself. I felt that the light was drawing me towards it and that this last leaf on this tree had a message it was trying to convey. I wanted to get closer and understand why this leaf was being specifically highlighted. My curiosity was peaked, but I also felt a sense of sacredness (maybe the statue in the background lent itself to this). I wanted to get closer and even touch the leaf, but also felt that I needed to respect this metaphorically consecrated ground that had been created through the lighting.

Week 8: almost there!

This week, I went with a purely emotional connection to light, only because the following picture took me there. After I parked my car one day this week and started walking towards my apartment, i was excited by these fun Christmas lights lighting up the back part of the community. (Some other apartments have started putting up their lights as well, but most people display them on their balcony, facing in towards the center of the community. It was such a pleasant surprise to see one on the outside!) Christmas lights, naturally, evoke a multitude of emotions in me. It brings me back, again obviously, to New York City, and even to Hungary as a child. Christmas always has pure bliss to it, unlike New Years, which is almost bittersweet. Also, immediately, images filled my head, wish surprising a great deal of detail. As I walked passed these simple Christmas lights, I remembered when I was younger, and we would walk through our old neighborhood in Brooklyn to see the MAGNIFICENT castles of lights that went on for blocks and blocks (I inserted an image of that too, and a link, and a video haha.) I remembered the lights illuminating the snow that was falling, almost as if small pieces of light were falling from the sky. There is even a soundtrack to this memory: the mechanical music that lights, blow up Santa's, and little train sets on display make. We don't need carolling in Brooklyn, we've got the machines doing it alllll night!

Then after the two minute walk back to my apartment, I got to my front door, and realized that mere Christmas lights evoked such vivid images in my head, and such real emotions in me. Although it was light that was symbolic that created such happiness in me, representing a holiday with a great deal of memories, I'd be interested in what lighting can enhance the wintery, holiday cheer on stage.

I honestly couldn't just pick one, so its really worth your time to just take a look: https://www.google.com/search?q=dyker+heights+christmas+lights&espv=2&biw=1600&bih=732&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=d398VPvWHsuvogTm3YLwAw&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAg

(and a video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBbvGIjUNZg)

Verano Place, Irvine Xmas

Bay Ridge/Dyker Heights Xmas (of course I had to put the most extravagant, but you know..)