Gallery & Museum Lighting: Projection or Reflection?
Collecting, conserving, researching and exhibiting – these keystones of museum activities were established more than 200 years ago. Each of these individual spheres of work are now provided with suitable lighting thanks to the possibilities of high-quality LED lighting, without having to compromise in terms of visual experience and the conservation of art. Design possibilities with light in museums and galleries are however not only limited to the display of art.
Which tasks does light adopt in the illumination of art?
Museum lighting needs to fulfill a variety of requirements: in every project designers are faced with the challenge of bringing together standard specifications, economic targets, constructional conditions and design aspects into a single concept. The range of tasks far exceeds typical exhibition spaces, beginning outside with the access area, facades and outdoor exhibits and including the foyer, café and shop as well as the actual visit to the museum. A theoretical model of lighting functions helps to evaluate the quality of lighting not just according to purely quantitative criteria such as illuminance figures. It separates lighting from the static room cubature to focus on the utilization of a spatial situation. This form of zoning allows individual tasks to be identified: should a room welcome, invite to discover, protect culture, entertain, or provide a location to stay and browse?
At the start of each lighting project it makes sense for lighting designers to ask the following three questions for each required functional area:
Which cultural, architectural or functional importance does the room or spatial zone have?
Which tasks in a museum can lighting adopt to optimize the display of cultural assets?
Which individual lighting strategy and methods of lighting are suitable as the basis for lighting design?
Lighting Fixtures Create Mood and Clarity in Art Museums and Galleries such as:
Energy-efficient LED lighting is an excellent choice to illuminate artwork and sculptures. The technology offers an excellent quality of light, top Color Rendering Index (CRI), and a range of color temperatures with dimming and other controls. The working life of an LED luminaire is up to 50,000 hours. And they emit no damaging UV or IR radiation and produce less heat than any other option, thereby protecting the artwork from degradation.
Wall Washing, Linear Accent and Spotlighting Fixtures: Move Eyes and Create Mood
Function and form direct what type of LED luminaire will be appropriate in an art gallery or museum. Many techniques can be used to accentuate each piece of art, such as wall wash lighting or spotlighting. However, the gallery design as a whole requires lighting to guide visitors and set the mood.
Linear accent lights enhance and improve functionality to reflect the gallery’s purpose. It is also highlight lighting and is typically focused light three times brighter than the room’s ambient light. Linear accent lights draw attention to a point of interest, such as a work of art or architectural element, or create a special effect. Typical forms of accent lighting include recessed or surface mount adjustable fixtures or track lighting, wall grazing, and wall washing.
The next time you have a chance to be inspired by art, observe the gallery as a whole and appreciate the designer’s intention. Chances are linear accent lighting plays a major role in the aesthetic.
