Ambiances Design Productions’ Kaleidoscope Transforms Buffalo’s Canalside Grain Elevators

June 05 2016

For more than a century massive grain elevators have dominated the canal side of New York State’s second largest city. Today, these structures have taken on a new and vibrant life that celebrates Buffalos rich industrial tradition as well as its bright future, thanks to Kaleidoscope, a dynamic lighting art project by Montreal-based Ambiances Design Productions and Foit-Albert Associates.

A 360-degree kinetic installation, Kaleidoscope is a contemplative public artwork that artistically interprets the seasons as seen through the lens of a kaleidoscope. Every season is represented in sequences that evolve with colour changes, movements and texture projections, and icons that change in intensity and optical distortions as if viewed through kaleidoscope. The colourful, fully automated display runs throughout the year from sunset to 11:00 pm, and changes to reflect each season on a daily basis.

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A total of 554 LED lamps, in 5 different types, were used in Kaleidoscope. Almost all of the fixtures (545) have LED technology. Included in this group are 197 RGBW Ilumipod 54g2 IP fixtures from the Iluminarc division of Chauvet. The Ilumipods are positioned on the top and bottom of each silo in the grain elevator.

“The Ilumipod fixtures were approved for their light output and dimming curve quality,” says Martin Gagnon, creative director of Ambiances Design Productions. “We also were confident in the product and brand reliability of Iluminarc from our past experience working with the line on our Aurora Borealis project in Quebec City.”

Officially launched on November 4, 2015, at 18:30, Kaleidoscope is part of a master plan developed in 2012 to enhance and illuminate the industrial heritage of Buffalos grain silos. Ambiances Design Productions and Foit-Albert Associates have been developing the project since 2013. The project was initiated by the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation and funded by the New York Power Authority (NYPA). Under the artistic direction led by Ambiances Design Productions, Foit Albert Associates acted as the architect and lead consultant for the design team.

“We were thrilled to present this first Buffalo artistic enlightenment project called The Kaleidoscope,” says Gagnon. “Our team was very honoured and proud to be part of the revitalization era that occurs in Buffalo, using art, and to contribute in our own way through our creative vision for public urban revitalization. We hope that this unique lighting installation on grain silos will inspire the community and tourists alike that Buffalo is a modern and evolving city.

“We believe that this night transformation of the Connecting Terminal into a light beacon will not only enhance the visitor experience at Canalside, but that it will become part of the new nocturnal signature of Buffalo and help it regain its former title as the ‘City of Light.‘“

The main objectives behind the Kaleidoscope project are to

• make the best possible use of a public space and unique canvas

• create an atmosphere through the use of light

• contribute to the Canalside and Buffalo revitalization thru the use of art

• increase public appreciation of Buffalo’s industrial heritage

• pair a vibrant cultural experience with nighttime entertainment

• provide a dynamic, artistic, world-class attraction

Judging from the response to this stunning and ever changing work of light art, The Kaleidoscope is well on its way to achieving the vision of its creators.

Ambiances Design Productions specializes in the design of multimedia environments and offers distinctive experiences for the arts, architecture and museums. While Aurora Borealis (Quebec), Urban Salon at Place des Arts (Montreal) and the Enchanted Forest (xxx) are among their major achievements, the company led by Martin Gagnon is also represented on projects such as Dubai International Film Festival and the flow Reflective Qatar.

Find out more: http://ambiancesdesign.com/en/.

Project credits

• Art direction and lighting design: Ambiances Design Productions

• Architect: Foit Albert Associates

• Electrical Engineer: Ramtech

• Electrical contractor: Frey Electric Construction Co.

• General contractor: Hohl Industrial Services

• System integrators: Barbizon