Lights and optics
First scale model by Béatrice Lartigue. Cardboard, perforated paper, flashlight.
Shot inside the paper model.
The first mock-ups for the artwork Novae allowed us to apprehend the technical stakes related to the materialization of light beams through a perforated surface.
Optical principle of the ratio between the size of the light source and the size of the projection once the beam has passed through a small hole.
Light fixtures usually comes with a limited opening angle. Schematics by our collaborator light designer Mathieu Cabanes.
Optical principle of a simple mirror: the light source located at A seems to be behind the glass, at the virtual location of A'.
Thoughts on the use of mirrors assembled in a three-sided pyramid to combine three light sources into one.
Optical constraints: to achieve narrow beams, it is critical to use a small size light source. Hardware constraints: concentrated light sources generally have a limited opening angle which means they must be mounted at a certain distance from the surface to be lit in order to cover a large enough area. Space constraints: the ceiling height of the exhibition space is often limited. Solution idea: by using a mirror, the distance from the light source could be virtually further, and thus illuminate a larger surface.
Small scale prototype to test and illustrate the principle of a pyramid of mirrors to combine 3 light sources in one: mini-lasers as light sources, small mirrors and Meccano. The three red dots are close and show the viability of the idea.
Geometry reference to understand the shape of the intersection between the beam and the mirror.
Full scale tests with different types of projectors and an oval mirror.
Convex mirror amplifies the properties of the flat mirror, spreading the light beam even more effectively.
Novae at MISK Art Institute, 2022.
Using a convex mirror produces a large, bright wash area despite the small angle of aperture and limited distance from the source.
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