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Painting with Light designs architainment concept in Genk

The Belgian city of Genk in Limburg switched on a new civic lighting installation called ‘Genker Ster’ (Genk Star). The piece of light art - comprising 275 stars - was designed by Genk based creative lighting and visual design practice Painting with Light.

The permanent lighting installation was the brainchild of Genk Mayor Wim Dries. Ambient lighting has been part of the city’s festive experience for the last decade, however the new Stars can now make an atmospheric impact throughout the year.

Once the project was green-lighted by the city council, a tender was issued for a concept design and specification which was won by Painting with Light. A second tender was then issued for the technical design and manufacturing of the Stars, which are distributed around the city centre, attached to building facades and other objects. This was won by another local company, Alkatech, and also involved consultation with Painting with Light’s creative director Luc Peumans and his team.

The illuminated Stars feature four varying length curved elements winding around a centre-point and tapered at the ends, held in place by eight prongs. The Stars themselves are constructed from brushed aluminium. Each Star contains 2,064 LEDs which can change colour, twinkle and be programmed to create multiple effects.

The installation utilizes a control system developed by Alkatech. Every LED pixel in each Star can be individually controlled to display around 270 trillion colours and is sent data via a cloud-based server which is synchronised by the internet clock.

Data is sent via a 4G SIM card embedded in the Star, and can be accessed locally or remotely via LedNet, a control platform devised by Alkatech as a potential SmartCity comms protocol. This can also be used for other tasks like monitoring air quality or activating/accessing other devices.

The LedNet devices can receive instructions via Ethernet, WIFI or - in this case - SIM card, and they can be programmed via a calendar app and also support live streaming. The City of Genk can control and change/update the calendar App via smartphone or web page as needed.

Art-Net compatibility means a LedNet controlled system can be integrated into an entertainment lighting system that might be installed temporarily for a special concert or a festival staged in one of the city’s public spaces, so the Stars can be integrated and run as part of their light show.

(Photos: Alkatech)

www.paintingwithlight.be

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