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INTERVIEW: Lighting designer Joel Fitzpatrick on his desire to permanently illuminate Manhattan
Joel Fitzpatrick, a lighting designer with a diverse background spanning theater, fashion, interior design, and dance, discusses his latest project, 'Aurora,' a dynamic, multicolored light show for Rafael Viñoly’s 277 Fifth Avenue. Fitzpatrick explains that his career has come full circle with this project, which was inspired by his unforgettable experience witnessing the aurora borealis in Alaska during his art school years at Bennington, Vermont. He recounts how the sheer awe of the natural phenomenon compelled him to wake his entire campus to share the experience, emphasizing the mystical and volumetric qualities of the Northern Lights.
The 'Aurora' installation at 277 Fifth Avenue presented a unique opportunity, as the building's unfinished state allowed for creative flexibility. Fitzpatrick highlights the architectural advantage of the tower's double-height loggias, which he describes as creating a sensation of 'flying in the city' and celebrating altitude. He explains that extensive lighting tests were conducted, drawing inspiration from these outdoor spaces. The initial 'Aurora' piece was installed at the top of the building before windows were in place, with future plans for a 3D light sculpture art piece within all the loggias.
Fitzpatrick expresses profound inspiration from this project, viewing it as a convergence of his diverse experiences. He notes that New York City is currently experiencing a shift towards celebrating light as an architectural feature, akin to Paris's long-standing tradition. He observes that the Manhattan skyline is becoming more colorful, with architects increasingly integrating light into their designs to create compelling visual experiences for the public.
The conversation also touches upon a pivotal moment in Fitzpatrick's career: his involvement with Hush Puppies, which was referenced by Malcolm Gladwell in 'The Tipping Point.' Fitzpatrick attributes his success in various fields to his passion, foresight, and willingness to embrace new challenges, describing it as a 'gut feeling' rather than just a 'tipping point.' He recalls how the advent of the blue LED enabled full-color spectrum lighting, revolutionizing his work in fashion, particularly with his Nolita store, Aether, which was an early adopter of fully color-lit commercial spaces. He considers the ability to be both technical and creative as crucial to his multifaceted career.
Fitzpatrick further elaborates on his initial foray into lighting, explaining that his desire for collaboration, rather than the solitary nature of sculpture, led him to modern dance and theater. He values the collaborative process for its intellectual and creative stimulation, and its capacity to push boundaries and foster communication, while still allowing for solitary artistic creation. His ultimate aspiration, following the 'Aurora' project, is to create a permanent, artful outdoor light installation on the Manhattan skyline that would captivate viewers and offer a meditative experience. He admires natural light phenomena like 'Manhattanhenge' and sunsets, particularly those he's witnessed in Shelter Island and Lamu, Kenya, referring to the sun as 'the ultimate lighting designer.' He concludes by expressing his intention to plan a trip to Iceland and Greenland to re-experience the Northern Lights, viewing it as a prelude to a significant outdoor light sculpture project in New York.
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