The “Kamp-Lintfort leuchtet” project was launched in July 2013. Funded by Stadtwerke Kamp-Lintfort, the Sparkassen Cultural Foundation of the Rhineland, RWE Deutschland AG, the Sparkasse Duisburg Foundation and RAG, Prof. Dr Karsten Nebe, together with students from Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences, developed an interactive light art installation, which will be switched on on 2 December. The large-scale installation is illuminated at the former RAG switchhouse, within sight of the university’s new campus.
Kleve/Kamp-Lintfort, 4 December 2014: A total of 126 spotlights are illuminating the former RAG switchhouse. “They are like the pixels on a monitor,” says Prof. Dr Karsten Nebe, Professor of Computer Science at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, “and, just like a screen, they can visualise the ideas of students, school pupils, artists and the residents of Kamp-Lintfort.” From the very beginning, the organisers’ aim and wish was to foster an interactive dialogue with as many people as possible. Since July 2013, students have been working under the supervision of Prof. Dr Karsten Nebe to bring the project to fruition. Technical and design concepts were developed in workshops and as part of course projects, and tested on site to determine the best approach. The technical implementation has been successful; the spotlights are now operational and the first light installations are visible.
The next stage of the project is the launch of the website kamp-lintfort-leuchtet.hsrw.org, which is scheduled to take place before Christmas. As well as providing details on the project’s development and the opportunity to view the light images online, the website will feature an editor enabling anyone interested to submit their own project ideas for visualisation. Whatever citizens create at home may later be displayed on the large-format window front. As part of a public event next year, all entries will be presented and awarded prizes by a jury.
Students, school pupils and teachers are already planning joint workshops to design artistic contributions in various categories. Using the editor, project participants can not only give free rein to their imagination when selecting colours and movement sequences, but also incorporate interactive elements. For example, the light art can react to the movement of passers-by or events in the surrounding area – incorporating factors such as volume or brightness, if the designers so wish. This is made possible by special sensors, which have also been developed and provided by students at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences. “We will also explore and implement other input and control options as the project progresses,” adds Nebe.
Together with the project’s sponsors and supporters, Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences will launch the project on 2 December, presenting the ‘Kamp-Lintfort leuchtet’ initiative and illuminating the façade of the RAG building.
Special thanks go to the project’s partners and sponsors, whose financial and substantive support have made the project’s implementation possible
