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.

Labels: Art Lighting Experts, Fine Art Contemporary Lights, Lighting Pictures, Optical Projector Lighting, Over The Picture Lights, Track Lighting

posted by xinger  # 6:42 PM

We are often asked by our clients about lighting sculptures with the PHANTOM CONTOUR PROJECTOR. They want to know if it can be done, how it is done and how difficult is the process? What is a hand cut template anyway?

Frankly, shaping the light to fit the exact contour of a sculpture is one of the most challenging installations to master. It takes patience, determination and a desire to see the end result.

Hand cutting a brass slide to fit an intricate sculpture requires the right tools. A small set of jewelers files and sharp cutting scissors. The process is completely trial and error. That means it is not easy, but by no means impossible for a rookie. We have detailed TEMPLATE CUTTING INSTRUCTIONS to help guide you through the process.

The brass slide above was cut to light a wall hung Miro sculpture. A small vertical slot was cut in the slide to find the target and establish orientation. Then, using scissors, small triangular cuts were made on both sides in several locations to establish cutting references. Then the remaining brass removal was done with jewelers files to replicate the intricate details of the Miro sculpture. This was an eight hour project and required several attempts to get it right. Perhaps with the owner's permission, I will post the finished product in a subsequent blog.

Positioning of the light is critical to the process. Before installing the light it is a good idea to test how the light hits the sculpture and more importantly what shadows are created. The shadows are an indicator of what will have to be cut on the template to properly outline the sculpture in light. In some instances, the sculpture may have appendages or projections that are simply impossible to cut out. In that case, all you can do is outline the sculpture in a controlled pool of light. Others can simply be cut out to illuminate only the sculpture without light on the wall or pedestal. The results are stunning!

To learn more ART LIGHTING or LIGHTING FINE ART please visit our website www.phantomlighting.com or contact one of our LIGHTING REPRESENTATIVES in an area near you.

We are recognized as one of the country's premiere lighting manufacturers of Art Lighting, Cabinet Lighting, Cove Lighting, and Adjustable Shelf Lighting.

Labels: Accent Light Manufacturers, Comparing Picture Lights, Fine art lighting, Low Voltage Display Lights, Optical Projector Lighting

posted by xinger  # 8:35 AM

One of the unique features of the PHANTOM CONTOUR PROJECTOR is the universal rotating ring and fully adjustable mounting cradle inside all the different housings. Designed with the installer in mind, the heavy duty mounting assembly is the foundation for the contour projector making it a snap to install.

Labels: Art Lights, Art Museum Picture Lights, Comparing Picture Lights, Fine art lighting equipmemt, Lighting projector, Optical Projector Lighting, Phantom Contour Projectors

posted by xinger  # 12:27 PM

I am trying to understand how the Phantom Contour Projector technically works. Do you have a section or cut away illustration showing all the internal components of the lighting fixture, especially the lenses in the optical chamber? Thanks

The PHANTOM CONTOUR PROJECTOR utilizes a 75-watt MR16/FO lamp designed originally for the fiber optic industry. This lamp produces a 13mm diameter circle of light at the focal point roughly 40mm from the lamp. The highly concentrated halogen light then passes through a 13mm aperture basically removing any stray light created by the lamp reflector and redirecting it inside the projector housing.

This focused light then passes through two Pyrex glass condenser lenses. The first lens is a 60mm, 75fl BCX (bi-convex) lens. The second lens is a 60mm, 150fl PCX (plano-convex) lens. Both condenser lenses collect the light and magnify the intensity of the light as it travels through the condenser assembly.

After passing through the masking ring, which holds the shutters or confinement plate, the light is then reprocessed and distributed to the art by one or more 39mm, 75fl Pyrex glass focal lenses. The focal lenses are the one variable in the system that allow the installer to manipulate the beam of light from a spot to a flood. All other lenses are fixed. The lighting designers at Phantom Lighting System have been awarded a US PATENT for innovation and design.

Now you see why this type of equipment is so specialized and not marketed by every lighting manufacturer. Here at Phantom Lighting System, we are committed to producing only finest lighting instruments designed specifically for illuminating art. Check out our website at http://www.phantomlighting.com/ for more technical information of selecting focal lenses, determining where to mount the projector and photometric data.

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, Las Vegas Nevada. Portland Oregon, Oklahoma City Oklahoma, Tucson Arizona, Long Beach California, Atlanta Georgia, and Los Angeles California.

If you have any additional questions, feel free to contact Tom Kretzschmar at 800-863-1184. Mr. Kretzschmar would be happy to answer any questions you have regarding the optical projector from Phantom Lighting System.

Labels: Art Lighting Manufacturers, Art Museum Lighting Fixtures, Fine Art Lighting Products, Optical Projector Lighting, Phantom Contour Projectors

posted by xinger  # 3:18 PM

I am often asked, what is the best way to illuminate art? In my opinion, the Phantom Contour Projector is superior in performance and quality to other so called specialty lights in category of projector lights or picture lights, even the legendary Wendelighting® optical projector. When I light fine art, I use the Phantom Contour Projector whenever possible.

Labels: Art Museum Lighting Fixtures, Fine art lighting, Optical Projector Lighting, Phantom Contour Projectors, Picture Lighting

posted by xinger  # 10:17 PM