Oxford Street Christmas Lights 2018
A Christmas Lights design proposal by Vlad Tenu & 18 Degrees
Oxford Street
Christmas Lights 2018
This proposal draws inspiration form nature, from complex phenomena that create fascinating shapes yet surprisingly driven by very simple laws of physics. Quintessential Christmas references, the snow, the ice and the incredible geometries of snow flakes are all based on fractal geometries that repeat and change in scale creating endless variations of the same microstructure of water as it transforms through its different states. The main idea of the proposal comes from the crystalline molecular structure of ice and its repetitive nature, focusing on the fluid nature of snow and ice formations and alluding to the fascinating patterns we find at all levels, from the microscopic cells to the stars and galaxy formations.
Parallax: a new geometric approach to lighting
The proposed design illustrates a new geometric approach to lighting. It is based on achieving complex geometries through very simple, repetitive linear shapes and on controlling how they are perceived in perspective by the human eye.
Similar to the notion of parallax, through the science of perspective, the proposed design uses the length of the street and its perception by the visitors as a tool to create very complex patterns of light from the inventive arrangement of simple wavy or curved catenaries.
Vlad Tenu has teamed up with lighting consultants 18 degrees to outline this design proposal for the famous yearly Christmas Lights that animate Oxford Street in London in 2018.
