Atami City, located in Japan's Shizuoka Prefecture, is a well known hot springs and seaside resort area with roots stretching back to the 8th century. The outstanding MOA (Mokichi Okada Assoc.) Museum of Art opened in Atami in 1982. Built 260m above sea level amidst the expanse of a huge 25,000sq.m garden, fabulous views of the open sea can be enjoyed from atop its perch on Momoyama Hill.
Access to the Museum's main building is a unique journey in itself. From the Museum entrance to the main building visitors travel some 200m up escalators running along a tunnel passage. Each escalator (14 in total running both directions) extends over 30m and is encased within the natural environment of Momoyama Hill. A circular domed hall 20m wide by 10m high is located at the mid-point of the journey and serves as a multipurpose room and space for artistic expression.
In January 295 Martin Architectural Cyclo 04 DMX fixtures were installed. The Cyclo 04 DMX is an RGB plus white 28W T5 fluorescent color changer capable of generating nearly all colors or white light of any color temperature. The Cyclo 04's are equipped with a diffuser front lens to project an even field of colored light by completely diffusing the light from each tube. Additionally, color filters are incorporated to emphasize the LD's required color variation. The Cyclo's fabulously illuminate the museum from entrance through the escalator passage and hall, creating a visually stimulating and mysterious space.
The dome shaped ceiling of the circular hall is illuminated in soft shades using 52 Cyclo 04 DMX units. Colour transforms slowly and yet expresses a novel and stark contrast to a group of 12 Cyclos installed in a round central cover at the top of the dome. As visitors approach the room from the ethereally illuminated passage, the beautifully colored dome appears gradually, its overwhelming presence leading to a completely different world.
Cyclo's are installed on both sides of the escalator passages, illuminating pleated walls, which rise in a natural gradation. Colour mixing sequences in the passages last four minutes and illuminate the space in six color variants. In the domed hall four colour scenes reflect current outdoor lighting levels, such as a sunrise or the brightness of a full moon night.
Lighting designer for MOA Museum of Art's escalator passage and domed hall is Toshimi Yanase of Tokyo Butai Showmei Co. Ltd. He says: "It is designed to represent a mysterious and unknown world for the visitors and for them to also feel excited during the long escalator ride. Soft colors are programmed to create a peaceful atmosphere which goes along with the character of the Museum."
(Chris Henry)
