DUO
The installation created for the Painted Hall in Greenwich, United Kingdom—where the Prime Meridian divides the eastern and western hemispheres and which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site—aimed to highlight the artwork at the centre of the hall through light and to establish a direct interaction with the audience.
To achieve this effect, the existing roller blinds in the hall were closed, allowing for controlled darkening of the space. In contrast to the warm-toned lighting already present in the hall, a cooler light color was chosen. This not only emphasised the distinction between the historical and the contemporary but also brought out the material qualities of the artwork itself.
As visitors step into the historic hall, they are welcomed by DUO in the background. As they move closer to the artwork, a directed flow of light emerges, drawing them into the design and intensifying the spatial experience. To achieve this effect, wide-beam, independent mini spotlights were positioned on the floor, ensuring the piece was illuminated just enough to be perceived as a strong focal point.
The main lighting system consisted of dark-finished reflectors, cell lights, and medium-beam spotlights, all integrated into the superstructure of the installation. Controlled via a DMX system, these luminaires enable the creation of diverse lighting scenarios. Thanks to their glare-reducing design, the system blends discreetly into the installation, offering visitors an experience that is both subtle and powerful.
The project was recognised as the Best Project of 2024 in the ART: Bespoke category at the "darc awards", a London-based international lighting design award.
Completion: 2024
Designer & Creator: Melek Zeynep Bulut, TR
Client: Melek Zeynep Bulut, TR
Lighting Design: LAB1 Lighting Design, TR
Acoustics & Architectural Consultant: Celaleddin Çelik, TR
Photography: Taran Wilkhu, Mark Cocksedge, Raşid Aslım (Manual Room), UK
Design Award: Winner - Darc Awards 2024, ART: Bespoke Category winner