Illuminating Public Art with Precision and Purpose

At the heart of Monash University’s Clayton campus in Melbourne, Australia, the public art installation, Soft Time, transforms light into a living expression of time. Soft Time is a six-meter-wide (19.7 ft) circular sculpture created by celebrated artist, Natasha Johns-Messenger, in collaboration with the Monash University Museum of Art (MUMA).

The design objective was to create a sculptural “clock” that translates time into light and emotion. The lighting design was intended to invite viewers to experience time through a continuous flow of color and motion. Artists chose to use dynamic light animations that would move across the structure, creating a mesmerizing motion that reflects the passing hours of the day. By combining art and technology, Soft Time has become a meditative focal point on campus, connecting the daily pace of student life with a universal human experience.

The artwork utilized 1,696 Color Kinetics iColor Flex LMX gen2 nodes (Now specified with Flex Compact gen3, RGB) to achieve this vision. The nodes were programmed by the systems integrator and then precisely positioned within the acrylic ring to produce seamless light. Graphic artist Nick Lewis created a video animation mimicking the subtle shifts of the day that when played, would be reflected through the nodes. The system is powered and controlled by a Pharos VLC, which synchronizes the light to real time.

Color Kinetics products were selected for their precision control, flexibility, and durability, meeting the high technical demands of a large-scale, address-intensive installation. Their proven performance and reliability made them the ideal choice for this permanent outdoor artwork requiring longevity and minimal maintenance.

Additionally, to conserve energy and extend the lifespan of the LEDs, the system was able to be programmed to automatically dim by 70% from midnight to 5 a.m., then gradually returns to full brightness by dawn.

Soft Time stands as a testament to how thoughtful design and artistry, backed by innovative lighting systems, can transform public spaces into lasting landmarks, captivating audiences and bringing environments to life by both day and night.