Ready Steady Light

We had the most wonderful day yesterday down at Fed Square for Ready Steady Light – a competition organised by Electrolight as part of the Light in Winter festival.

There were 5 teams who were issued with a selection of everyday objects such as an ironing board, bicycle, clothes line, etc and a big box full of lights. Teams were asked to turn the objects into wonderful works of art: 5 unique and brilliant light sculptures.

Our teams were led by architect Antony Di Mase, theatre lighting designer Nicola Andrews, and students Anthony Branson, Jacob Hulsbaek and Melanie Deroon.  The thing in common for all entrants was a love of lighting.

We roped in some helpers for the day: Landon Bannister from Eagle, Karren De’Ath from Lumascape, Andrew Sherrif from Norka and our principal sponsor Tim Lawrence from Philips Lighting.

At midday a briefing was held (the principal instruction being not to damage Paul’s bike) and the teams got busy taping, cable tying, weaving lights into and onto their objects which became unrecognisable in no time flat.

The frenetic activity went on for 4 hours until ‘tools down’ was called.

We all returned to the amazing pyramidal ‘Light Hearts’ structure in Fed Square plaza where the sculptures were hoisted to a prominant position to be judged by eminent local architect James Staughton and Light Hearts creator Bruce Ramus.

The judges job was not an easy one and after much deliberation they handed down their final decisions, which was…

in joint third place – Trolley by Melanie Deroon’s group and Hills Hoist by Jacob Hulsbaek’s group

in second place – Bike Light by Antony Di Mase’s group

and our winners, in joint first place were V is for Virtue (the step ladder) by Nicola Andrews’ group and Anthony Branson’s amazing ironing board.

Our heartfelt thanks to all who took part, gave up their time, provided the everyday objects, the lights, prizes, the encouragement (and of course the wonderful team at Fed Square) to make it all possible.

If you would like to see a full set of photos from the event go to our facebook page

V is for Virtue

Just about the most fun you can have with a clothes line

The beautiful sculptures in all their glory