Het Kunstuur (the Art Hour) is a new ground-breaking ‘interactive’ gallery concept developed by art collectors and entrepreneurs Hans & Joost Bourlon, presented in the charismatic former Holy Ghost Chapel in the historical heart of Mechelen, Belgium.
Creative lighting design and media specialist Painting with Light (PWL) was asked to manage, co-ordinate and design the technical systems and control for lighting, video, audio and humidity control for this intricate and unique project.
PWL’s team drew from its vast knowledge of creating entertaining ‘visual experiences’ across multiple disciplines – theatre, live shows, attractions and themed environments, visitor centres, etc. All of these influenced the delivery of a dynamic technical solution for Het Kunstuur in Mechelen.
The lighting layout was produced in collaboration with PWL’s lighting experts Peter Van Den Bosch and Ashwin Coelho. All equipment was installed by Sam van Maele and his team from EVM Electrical Solutions. The profile lights in this area are 19 x Showtec Performer Profile Minis, a very small 30W COB LED luminaire, installed with 25 – 50° zoom lenses and the shutter module option for fine-tuned focusing on the paintings.
PWL’s CEO and creative director Luc Peumans said, “In that time we have developed our know-how about how to combine creative and technical services for the ‘entertainment experience’, and for this specific project, our client had some extra challenges – the concept of visitors spending maximum one hour in the museum and focussing their attention on one painting at a time together with timing, lighting, audio and guest flow were all key.
