Share this page:

Plantation Place

London, UK

This eye-catching, glass art wall gives new meaning to “moon-lit walks” in the heart of historic London. Spanning 135 feet (41 m) long by 20 feet (6 m) high, the wall features a sepia-tinted photographic etching of the dark side of the moon – complete with ethereal light and shadows produced by Color Kinetics’ intelligent LED lighting systems.

UK-based artist Simon Patterson was commissioned for the piece, which runs along the newly created Plantation Lane and is part of a new office development. A full-scale mock-up of the lighting scheme was produced by David Hymas of Arup and Terry Reeves of Lighting Technology Projects to determine the appropriate light source for the job. The optimal solution proved to be ColorBlast® 12 – chosen for its even color wash capabilities, durability to withstand the outdoor elements, and low-maintenance, low-power requirements. A total of 102 ColorBlast 12 units were installed; 51 evenly spaced along the base of the wall, and 51 along the top.

Reeves used ColorPlay® authoring software to program a tranquil light show, including a gradual, color-morphing sweep across the dual rows of ColorBlast units. Various other effects are stored and played via iPlayer® 2 – casting saturated color across the glass image to create shadows, contrasts and a seemingly three-dimensional effect.