Commissioned by Renwick Gallery in Washington, DC, the PARALLAX GAP EXHIBIT was an immersive art installation for public exhibition conceived of by FREELAND BUCK. The installation is a 67ft x 38ft canopy made of multiple CNC-cut plastic fabrics, layered to create abstract “architectural perspectives.” They represent nine historic ceilings that are architectural contemporaries of the gallery space including the Philadelphia City Hall and the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. The layered fabric creates depth and playful shifts in perspective as viewers move beneath the canopy. The concept is the illusion in perspective or how the appearance of distance and depth changes at different viewpoints. Pixelumen Lab worked closely with FREELAND BUCK and the fabrication shop to seamlessly blend the lighting in to the fabric. On site tests and mock-ups were conducted to ensure optimal positioning and effect. The installation glows from integrated LED at each layer up lighting the structure and woven into the fabric. Each dome has an individually controllable tape that produces a glow onto the next layer. Via DMX control the domes are sequenced, providing slight visual ques and order. Additional theatrical fixtures mounted to existing gallery positions and to the truss of the art piece provide a general wash on the underside of the entire piece. Theatrical fixtures also highlight exhibit information on walls and presentation locations. All lighting was custom programmed and integrated into the DMX control system native to the gallery. 

2019 IES DC Candela Award