Phantom Lighting System

In order to be effective, art museum lighting must correspond to the type of art being exhibited. Natural lighting is generally not preferred as a source of art museum lighting. It emits harmful infrared heat and ultraviolet light waves that will damage a wide variety of paint types and canvases. Natural light is also very difficult to control. It is much better to use art museum lighting fixtures specifically designed for the task of illuminating and properly showcasing fine art and statuary. In most cases, a combination of fixture types by most curators, who tend to design the fine art lighting system around the interior architecture of the room and the exhibits on display.

Accent Lights
Accent lighting fixtures often use low voltage halogen lamps that have been specifically engineered for the purposes of art lighting. Ultraviolet light has to be filtered out of the light beam in order to make the light safe for the art, and the fixture must also provide a means of adjusting lighting levels.

Some accent lighting fixtures look like over the picture lights, although many have a base that attaches to the wall above the frame, not to the frame itself. The arms are generally longer and more flexible than generic equivalents. This allows the picture lights to be positioned at just the right distance from the art in order to make the light fit the frame.

Exhibition lighting in art museums is also done with low voltage, filtered spotlights that reside on or near the ceiling. These fixtures create a less intense luminance that is highly effective for special effects or ambient lighting. This type of accent lighting is often found in art museums that exhibit sculpture and three-dimensional abstract art.

Track Lights
Track lights hang suspended from rails that run parallel to the wall. The greatest advantage that they offer is the ability to match the number of lighting fixtures to the exact number of works of art. Because each low voltage light fixture can be moved individually along the rail, each light can be aimed precisely at its chosen object for pinpoint lighting effect. We often see track lighting in art museums showcasing photography exhibits. Because such exhibits normally feature a number of works in a series, track light installations allow for each photograph to be placed in its own individual light.

Recessed Lights
Lighting designers use recessed picture lights in art museums use halogen lights that produce a very bright, white light with superb color rendering. This light is filtered to remove ultraviolet radiation, and the use of dimmer switches to control lighting levels is generally recommended both as an aesthetic factor and a power saving feature.

One of the greatest advantages recessed accent lighting fixtures offer in art museum lighting is concealment. Unlike track lights, which hang suspended from the ceiling, recessed lights reside on or within the ceiling itself. They are difficult for the casual viewer to see, and they can be used to light both art and sculpture from virtually any angle.

Art Projectors
Art projectors are the most high-end of art museum lighting fixtures. Because art projectors can fit the light to the precise dimensions of a painting, and because they produce the safest form of UV and Infrared-free lighting, art museums frequently rely on them to light their most important and rare works of art on display.

Like recessed lights, projectors such as the Phantom Contour mount above the line of site in the ceiling. Almost all have some sort of lens adjustment mechanisms, sophisticated light filters that strip the beam of harmful ultraviolet light, and built in dimmer controls that allow lighting levels to be adjusted appropriately to genre, style, and individual characteristics of a work of art.

The Phantom Contour Projector offers a number of advantages over competing projector models. It is smaller and therefore easier to conceal in more eclectic, formal art museums. Lighting controls on the Contour Projector are exceptionally user friendly and do not require a technician to adjust. A number of models are available specific to interior architecture, including retrofit models that do not require cutting into a ceiling.

Click here to read more about Phantom Contour Projectors and Phantom Linear Strip lights that can be used in art museum display lighting.

Our lighting manufacturing facility is located in Houston, Texas with professional lighting sales agents located throughout the United States that enable us to service all 50 states including Washington DC, Nashville Tennessee, Las Vegas Nevada. Portland Oregon, Oklahoma City Oklahoma, Tucson Arizona, Long Beach California, Atlanta Georgia, and Los Angeles California.

I live in Mexico and recently purchased a new painting that I plan to install over my living room sofa. I would like to light it properly without blinding my family or friends who might be sitting on the sofa. Do you have any suggestions of who to call in Mexico?

One of the best ways to control spill light on the sofa is by using a light fixture that has a focused light source. Framing projectors, like the Contour Projector, produce a high intensity beam of light that can be shaped to fit the contour of the object. This technique eliminates all the light around the art on the wall and the sofa below.

You could also install a MR16 low voltage adjustable halogen accent light mounted above the sofa and out of the field of view. From a steep aiming angle there will be some light on the wall around the art without bothering anyone sitting on the sofa.

If you would like to learn more about lighting fine art using framing projects contact our Mexico Lighting Agent or a lighting designer in your area.

For our Latin American friends, we are currently in the process of creating a Spanish version of the Phantom Lighting website. In the meantime, if we can be of service, please contact customer serviceat 800-863-1184 for assistance in Spanish.

I am considering installing some new recessed art lighting fixtures in my home. The idea of a remodel housing and trim is very intriguing to me. How does your light fixture compare with other art lights on the market?

When you are talking about art lighting fixtures, you really have to break them down into three categories: Picture lights, accent lights and framing projectors.

Picture Lights
Surface mounted picture lights are the simplest form on art lighting used by galleries, consultants and homeowners. Picture lights are attached to the frame or wall and cords are either exposed or concealed behind the frame depending on the location of the receptacle. The picture light floods the art and produces heat that may be harmful to works of art. They are available in several styles and lengths to fit most art. Costs for this form of lighting is minimal.

Accent Lighting
Recessed accent light fixtures, typically MR16 fixtures, can be quite effective for illuminating art. The small aperture and high output of these lights makes them a favorite in both commercial and residential settings. The low voltage halogen light produces a good color and can be controlled to spot light or flood an object with light. MR16 lamps because of their dichroic reflectors are "Cool Beam" lamps and do not create harmful UV or infrared rays that damage art. Accent lights come in many shapes and sizes and are made by many manufacturers. Cost for this form of lighting is moderate.

Framing Projectors
Recessed optical framing projectors are by far the most dramatic and effective way to illuminate art or sculpture. Optical framing projectors produce a very high intensity focused light that can be manipulated to fit the exact contour of the object. Only a few companies promote optical framing projectors because they are so specialized and tedious to install. Some companies make simple framing projectors that must conform to a rigid formula and can only do square or rectangular art, masking the light with shutters. Others, are more complex and require a trained technician to hand cut templates masking the light to any shape. Costs for this form of lighting pictures can be high and does vary by manufacturer.

PHANTOM CONTOUR PROJECTORS are designed by a professional installer and have been engineered so a novice, do it yourselfer or qualified electrician can successfully illuminate art. The patented mounting method, simplified optical system and the ability to use both shutters and custom templates make this one of the most versatile and awesome fixtures on the market today. By shaping the light to only the canvas, the art takes on a "Lighted from within" look that can only be seen to appreciate.

Our lighting manufacturing plant is located in Houston, Texas with professional lighting sales agents located throughout the United States that enable us to service all 50 states including Washington DC, Nashville Tennessee, Reno Nevada. Portland Oregon, Oklahoma City Oklahoma, Tucson Arizona, Los Angeles California, Atlanta Georgia, and Malibu California.

See our PROJECTOR COMPARISON CHART to see how we stack up against the competition in this highly specialized niche market. Feel free to contact us toll free at 800-863-1184 for design assistance, technical information or to request a free color brochure.

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