Royal Approval
Designer: Kinetech Design
Light artists Kinetech Design selected Applelec LED Light Sheet to bring illumination to the vast 6m diameter Royal Approval installation.
Situated at St John’s Gate, the inspiration for Royal Approval drew on the rich history of its archway location, which saw the first performances of some of Shakespeare’s most famous work. Paying homage to this significant period in history, the design for Royal Approval emulated the prevalent fashion statement of this time by mirroring the distinct and elegant design of the Elizabethan ruff.
Key features...
1.
RGB Applelec LED Light Sheet illuminated aluminium sculpture
2.
Lightweight, 8mm light panel fit seamlessly into structure
3.
RGB programmed lighting sequences
4.
Integrated illumination to support homogeneous lighting design
Pushing construction boundaries, the Elizabethan ruff was reimagined using sections of thin aluminium sheets that were shaped and manipulated by hand to re-create the complex and elaborate frill detailing of the pleated garment. The aluminium material was pieced together to form the Royal Approval installation, which stretched over three metres in diameter and was further enhanced with the integration of Applelec’s RGB LED Light Sheet.
Providing back illumination, the RGB LED Light Sheet panels were created to bespoke specification to fit neatly behind the aluminium material and precisely follow the circular form of the Royal Approval framework. As though glowing from within, light sliced through the apertures of the installation and radiated against the aluminium material, emphasising the kiri- origami design of the structure. Illumination helped further connect the installation to its surroundings, where vivid, colourful light flooded St John’s Gate, creating a dramatic centre piece at nightfall.
Balint Bolygo, co-founder at Kinetech Design said:
"For illuminating Royal Approval, we wanted the lighting element to feel homogeneous with the overall design of the installation, and not appear as a separate entity. The lightweight and slim 8mm profile of Applelec’s LED Light Sheet enabled us to integrate the light panel seamlessly into the structure and effortlessly achieve this desired effect."
The installation was elevated during Clerkenwell Design Week to invite attendees to step into the centre of the sculpture, as though to be wearing the vast Elizabethan ruff.
Photography: Kinetech Design
