Sketch Series 2: Art Gallery

Elliot University Center
Art Gallery

Here when looking at the darker corner of the space the light is way too
bright to even look in that direction.

The small art gallery in the Elliot University Center is a good example of how light has been used in a good and bad way. Providing the most light to the space appears to be halogen floodlights that serve the purpose of highlighting the work that’s on display. Although it does a good job of doing this it also causes a strong glare problem that was not addressed. A supplementary lighting source is the fluorescent light bulbs in the ceiling fixtures. There is one of these located as you first walk in and another one place in the corner where the room changes direction.

The problem with the halogen lights is the direction in which they are giving off light. They are pointed to face the opposite wall than what one would think. I understand why one would think this would work because it changes the distance of the lighting source, which in turn provides light to more space. I think by having them the way they are now prevents them from creating glares on the walls. The walls appear to be a white matte paint finish, somewhat textured. If the lights were to be turned around I think they would be too close to the wall and at that point create unnecessary glares on the walls preventing the artwork from being enjoyed. The problem that is present with this overall lighting design is that the halogen lights, although they provide sufficient light to the artwork, they do not allow the users to enjoy the space the best they could. I found myself squinting to work my way around the space. Everywhere you looked there was some kind of light that was blinding you. I find this a real big problem.

While I was there observing the space there were no other viewers. Naturally I started moving through the space by starting on the right and working my way around the perimeter. This most likely would be the way that people inhabit the space because there is one entrance so you enter, observe the art while working your way around the perimeter, and then exit the same door in which you entered. So based on this situation the lighting needs to be in favor of this. The lights don’t need to be facing the viewers at any point while they are enjoying the space because this could cause them to have a bad experience.