The Illuminating World of Bridges, Part 2 Color

Calling All Bridge Experts and Enthusiasts

Welcome to the 5-part Series on The Illuminating World of Bridges Part 2

PART 2

Public Space: Color Language (and its global model)

Color theory: Light vs. Pigment

Color Compositions and Narrative Interpretation

Aesthetic Lighting, the Arts, and Dynamism

Contemporary bridge lighting draws from other art-forms, theater by crafting public dramas and music, where cadence lends rhythm and time. Lighting is essential to define the architectural form after dark.

While the mounting locations and aiming of light sources are fixed, the production of luminous hues can change electronically. Although manufacturers tout the ability to create 16-million colors. The designer's artistic approach mandates selecting a minimal selection of the right colors.

Introduce the variable of time: The light-artist programs color mixing systems into cross-fades. The resulting bridge image and resonance then varies over the course of evening and night. Luminous, transparent color overlays surfaces. Thus, the surface finish and illuminated color must blend.

Circumvent undesirable color mixes like “urban mud” by conducting mock-ups for color palette selection.

As discussed above for Kingston Bridge, information display is one of the concepts underlying color usage for bridge lighting. Other concepts include identity, spectacle, and site-specificity.

Site Specific: Everyone Under the Sun and Moon channels immediate water conditions in Ft Lauderdale 

Video by Leni Schwendinger Light Projects

Identity: A series of bridges in London, The Illuminated River Photo by Color Kinetics

Spectacle: Hernando de Soto Bridge, Memphis  Photo by Color Kinetics

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