Phantom Lighting System

What makes art lighting fixtures different from other types of lighting?
Art lighting fixtures come in a variety of design types, each of which offers scores of individual models and lighting controls from which you can choose. Art lighting fixtures have to matched to both the type and genre of artwork they illuminate, and they have to aesthetically compliment the interior design of the home, office, or gallery surrounding the art. Some are made to be visible, yet attractive; others are made to minimize or conceal their appearance altogether so that you see the light and not the fixture.

What are the least expensive art lighting fixtures I can use?
Picture lights attach to the top of the frame and cast direct lighting downward across the surface of the image. These convenient art lighting fixtures evenly distribute illumination across the surface of the image, bringing out the details of texture, color, and subtle interplays of light and shadow. Due to their close proximity to the image, however, they can damage sensitive oils and canvases common in rare originals and extremely fine art. In such instances, it may be to choose a different fixture type altogether for your art, or to substitute over the picture lights fitted with LED lamps. These lamps use less electricity and emit wavelengths of light that are minimal in forward throw heat and completely free of ultraviolet radiation.

What lighting fixtures are good for illuminating multiple works of art?
Track lights are ideal for arenas where a large number of works in a collection are on display. A track lighting installation consists art lighting fixtures that hang suspended from a rail, or “track” as it is called, that runs near the ceiling parallel to the wall. Track lights are often the preferred art lighting fixtures of high-end photography galleries. Most photography showings consist of a series of images displayed as a thematically representative group. A single track light can be pointed toward a single photograph, placing each piece in its own individual light. They also work very well in contemporary or ultra-modern interior lighting design. Track lights sometimes lack the ability to light exceptionally large canvases and prints, and even though they can be controlled with dimmer switches to create different levels of light, they are nonetheless limited in their capacity to achieve highly customized lighting effects.

Are their art lighting fixtures that you can conceal from normal viewing angles?
Yes. You can use recessed art lighting fixtures, accent lighting fixtures or framing projectors if you need a concealed source. This is also known as “sourceless” lighting and represents the most sophisticated form of illumination possible. Recessed picture lights mount in the ceiling and direct light from an angle onto a piece. Recessed art light fixtures are commonly fitted with halogen bulbs renowned for their optimal color rendering capabilities and extremely bright light.

For less sensitive works of art, such as black and white photography or lithographic prints, halogen recessed lights can be an ideal source of illumination. They work exceptionally well for lighting a small grouping of thematically connected photographs or prints. For more sensitive oils and acrylics, recessed picture lighting fixtures must be fitted with special ultraviolet filters to prevent the light from degrading the materials and paints. This can be problematic even with the best of equipment, however, as some UV light may still reach the canvas and cause deterioration over time. If you are in doubt and can afford to take no risks with the finest art you possess, consider the very wise investment in a framing projector.

Give the artwork lighting experts at Phantom Lighting at call toll free at 800-863-1184.

There are countless varieties of low voltage art lighting fixtures on the market, and an almost infinite number of fixtures styles available within each individual type.

Low voltage over the picture lights
These lighting fixtures are also called picture lights because they attach directly to the frame and extend over the top of the picture. The most popular over the picture art lights are low voltage LED units that either operate with a concealed low voltage transformer or eliminate wiring altogether with internal battery power. They are remarkably inexpensive, safe, and easy to install and transport.

Although they do not create the most formal presentations, they often prove invaluably convenient in temporary settings such as picture lighting public art sales, lighting exhibitions and lighting municipal displays where local art or classroom art from public schools is showcased.

Low voltage art lighting with recessed fixtures
Recessed picture lights are so named because they resided in a recessed fixture that is either partially or completely embedded in the ceiling. They can be equipped with dimmers to allow the user direct control over lighting levels. Lenses can also be covered with filters to eliminate UV and IR radiation, placing only the desired portions of the spectrum over the piece.

The primary advantage of recessed accent lights is a concealed light source that can be projected at a precise angle toward a picture(s) on display.

The disadvantage of low voltage recessed art lights is that multiple fixtures must be used to light an entire row of pictures, or a large number of pieces along a wall. If there are too many works in the collection, it becomes impractical to install an equivalently large number of recessed lights in the ceiling.

Low voltage art lighting with track lights
Track lights are so called because they hang suspended from a track that runs parallel to a wall.
They offer an advantage in number over recessed lights. In a gallery where a wall may be full of paintings or photographs from a specific genre, any number of track light installation techniques can be installed to provide an individual light source for each individual work.

The obvious disadvantage to track lighting is lack of concealment. Track lights are impossible to hide and are clearly visible to the viewing audience.

Low voltage lighting with Art projectors
Recessed Projector lights represent the highest level of sophistication in low voltage art lighting. They hang suspended from the ceiling on inverted pedestals. Capable of rotating a full 360 degrees, art projectors can be aimed at any point in the room to illuminate a two dimensional image or three dimensional sculpture.

Most contain some sort of filtration technology as well that strips the light beam of IR and UV wavelengths prior to the light ever passing through the lens. However, many art lighting manufactures are limited by fixed optical systems that prohibit fine-tuning adjustments known as “key stoning”—a technique lighting designers use to eliminate glare and frame shadows. Others are bulky and clearly visible hanging from the ceiling and present an inconvenient challenge to rotate and fine tune. This can result in a “fuzzy” lighting effect, or it can create light “spillage” beyond the boundaries of the frame.

To achieve the level of precision adjustment necessary to completely shape the light to the exact dimensions of the artwork itself, it is necessary to use a projector such as the Phantom Contour projector with a variable optical design that will allow the shutter blade system to be locked into a specific position and fine tuned using custom templates and internal filters. This then allows the light beam to shape itself to the piece, making it look lighted from within.

To learn more about Phantom Lighting and this highly effective and versatile form of low-voltage display lighting with Phantom products check out our lighting blog, contact one of our fine lighting representatives for a demonstration or visit http://www.phantomlighting.com/ for more information.

Lighting works of art is never an easy task even for design professionals. Optical framing projectors, such as the PHANTOM CONTOUR PROJECTOR, is one of a few specialty lighting fixtures that lighting designers, architects and art consultants use for these types of applications. This technology has been around for many years and was first introduced by an optical scientist named Rudolph Wendel. Mr. Wendel created this magical projector light which has thrilled art connoisseurs for years and was first used in the Louvre. Mr. Wendel's creation became the standard for fine art lighting worldwide.

Mr. Wendel's optical projector has evolved over the years and moved from an incandescent pre-focus light source to a 150-watt mini-can base halogen lamp. The halogen lamp produces a very white color of light that has good color rendering and is preferred by artists and collectors. Unfortunately, the halogen light source produces a tremendous amount of heat making the housing for the equipment large and bulky. Optically, the Wendelighting® optical projector is still the same today as it was when it was created by Rudolph Wendel. With changes in the energy code, advances in light sources and optical design, the Wendelighting® optical projector is being left behind by the Phantom Contour Projector

Today's standard for fine art illumination is the PHANTOM CONTOUR PROJECTOR. This high performance optical framing projector utilizes a very special 75-watt MR16 lamp that was originally designed for the fiber optic industry. Fitted inside a unique optical chamber the light is magnified and distributed through a series of lenses creating a very intense focused low voltage halogen light source. This focused light is projected onto the art and then shaped to fit the exact contour of the object, regardless of the size, creating a lighted from with look. This is done with either a basic shuttering system or a custom metal confinement plate to mask the light. It is even possible to illuminate more than one object individually, from one Phantom light by using a hand cut brass confinement plate. In fact, the Phantom Contour Project is so unique and so effective, it is was recently granted a US PATENT for innovation and design. The housing is half the size of the Wendelighting® optical projector housing and produces more light with less heat.

Phantom Lighting System is an original equipment lighting manufacturer of specialty lighting fixtures for art and display lighting. Feel free to give Tom Kretzschmar a call toll free at 800-863-1184 for assistance. 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 Wendel California.

Whether you are lighting cabinets or illuminating art, Phantom Lighting System is right for you.

WENDELIGHTING® is a registered trademark of Jacksen International, LTD.