Bentley Meeker

designer

Illuminating the Extraordinary: The Magic of Event Lighting

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When it comes to creating a truly memorable event, lighting plays a vital role in setting the mood, enhancing ambiance, and captivating attendees. The artistry of event lighting can transform any space into a breathtaking spectacle, leaving a lasting impression on guests. In this blog post, we will explore the world of event lighting and discover some of the most amazing techniques and trends that make events shine like never before.

  1. Dynamic Lighting Designs: One of the most exciting aspects of event lighting is its ability to create dynamic and ever-changing environments. With advanced lighting technology, such as intelligent lighting fixtures and programmable systems, event designers can manipulate color, intensity, and movement to match the energy and theme of the occasion. From vibrant hues and mesmerizing patterns to synchronized lighting effects that dance to the beat of the music, the possibilities are endless.
  2. Transformative Projection Mapping: Projection mapping has revolutionized event lighting by turning ordinary surfaces into canvases for immersive storytelling. This technique allows light and images to be projected onto complex structures, such as buildings, stages, or even furniture, creating a mind-bending visual experience. Projection mapping can transport guests to different worlds, depict stunning illusions, or showcase brand visuals in an unforgettable way, making it a popular choice for corporate events, weddings, and concerts.
  3. Ethereal Fairy Lights and String Lighting: For a touch of enchantment, nothing compares to the delicate glow of fairy lights and string lighting. These twinkling wonders bring a whimsical and romantic atmosphere to any event, whether it’s an outdoor garden wedding or an intimate cocktail party. From cascading canopies of lights to sparkling backdrops and elegantly draped installations, fairy lights add a magical touch that captivates the imagination and creates a dreamlike ambiance.
  4. Dramatic Uplighting and Washes: Uplighting and washes are powerful techniques that can transform event spaces dramatically. By strategically placing lighting fixtures around the room, event designers can illuminate walls, pillars, or architectural features, emphasizing their beauty and adding depth to the space. Uplighting can be tailored to match event colors or themes, creating a cohesive and immersive experience that enhances the overall aesthetic.
  5. Creative Customizations: Event lighting allows for endless creativity and customization. From personalized monograms projected onto dance floors to dynamic light shows synchronized with live performances, event lighting professionals can bring unique ideas to life. Customized lighting can incorporate logos, images, or intricate patterns, ensuring that the event leaves a lasting impression on guests and creates a truly unforgettable experience.

The art of event lighting is a captivating blend of technology, creativity, and meticulous attention to detail. From the dazzling displays of color and movement to the subtle interplay of light and shadow, event lighting has the power to transform any occasion into a mesmerizing spectacle. Whether it’s an intimate gathering or a grand-scale celebration, the most amazing event lighting can elevate the atmosphere, evoke emotions, and leave a lasting impression on attendees. So, let your imagination soar and let event lighting illuminate your extraordinary moments like never before.

Dim All the Lamps – Because romance is better by candlelight.

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Bentley Meeker, a Manhattan designer, has been in business for 30 years, creating lighting for events as diverse as weddings (he did Chelsea Clinton’s) and concerts (Kanye West, Aerosmith and Elton John are all clients).

Mr. Meeker, whose first book, “Light x Design”, calls light “the most powerful tool we have to create any feeling.”

When it comes to romance, he recommends candlelight. It offers “an uncontrolled sense of light” he said, but it “definitely creates a vibe.”

So on a recent frigid day, Mr. Meeker went in search of candleholders to set the mood for Valentine’s Day.

At Coolhouse, an antiques shop in Chelsea, he found a pair of adjustable candelabra from Denmark.

“These slide up to almost six feet tall,” he said. “How cool is that? I also like that you can move the individual arms wherever you want, and the satiny brass finish is naturally aged. It’s really beautiful.”

But he noted that such large candelabra would require an appropriately scaled setting.

“The more candles you use, the more intense the light will be,” he said. “People are always surprised by that.”

Two designs caught his eye at the Museum of Modern Art’s Design Store: the Ghost candelabrum by Jon Russell, which he praised for its “modern lines of Lucite” that mimic “a very classically shaped” candelabrum, and Martin Blum’s Loop, “because it’s chaos underneath but somehow becomes smooth and elegant with the four taper candles all pointing regally and perfectly in the same direction.”

At Christofle, he liked the Arborescence articulated candelabrum. “All the arms are the same height,” Mr. Meeker said, “and it won’t give off too much light. It’s also begging for a unique candle – a honeycomb would be great.”

And down the block at Baccarat, he picked out Marcel Wanders’s Forest of Dreams.

“The monochromatic nature of the design will pick up the candlelight and glisten very nicely,” Mr. Meeker said.

“I love that each component is removable,” he added. “You can put tea lights in three of them, and do shots with the other two.”

 

(ref. The New York Times, Rima Suqi)