“The bright orange glow represents wasted energy... It costs us real money, and it also costs us something more intangibly valuable, A chance to see the night sky in all its glory.”

New York Times, 6/14/04

Draco The Dragon

Wireless Solar Prototype

Will our children wish upon a star?


  1. New York City is the city of dreams. Dreams are made by wishing. Most City Dwellers including New Yorkers can no longer wish upon a star.


  1. •Light pollution obscures the stars and like any other form of pollution, disrupts ecosystems and has adverse health effects.

  2. International Dark Sky Association


  1. •Over-illumination is responsible for over two million barrels of oil per day in wasted energy in the United States alone.  

  2. US Department of Energy


  1. •The starry night sky will vanish in the contiguous United States by 2025. Already, one fifth of the world can no longer see the milky way.

  2. National Parks Service



“Perhaps an awareness of our place within the universe

is being blinded by our own light.”


Danielé Pinna, NYU

Reflecting the Stars


is an Interactive Light Installation that will raise awareness and teach prevention techniques for light pollution. Solar powered LED clusters implanted on hundreds of decaying pier posts will illuminate at sunset, twinkling in various patterns, mirroring a lost starry sky.


Henry Hudson navigated with stars. New York will discover these same stars again at the remains of pier 49 within the Hudson River Park in the West Village, Manhattan. Visitors will interact with the installation by pressing buttons on shoreline plaques to interrupt the twinkling pattern and reveal various constellations.


3 Interactive and Informative Shoreline Plaques


1. Project Description = Installation information, Light Pollution facts and prevention techniques.


2. Astronomy = Press buttons to light up Constellations no longer visible in NYC. Each selected for their historical and mythological importance by NYU Astronomer Danielé Pinna. Visitors will see and learn about Hercules, Lynx, Draco the Dragon....


  1. 3.Astrology = Light up and Learn about each of the 12 Constellations of the Zodiak. Your destiny?

Powered by our closest star, the Sun.


The entire installation will run on solar power.  The Interactive Shoreline Plaques, Programable Wireless System, and Waterproof Solar LED Lamps will minimize impact on the location and the environment while maximizing the effectiveness of the project.


Wireless System

No wires running between posts will make an efficient install, de-stall, and a more stable electronic system.


Energy Efficient LEDs

Each lamp will feature 6 blue and 6 white LEDs on a 16 channel dimmer. Giving us the freedom to cross fade between blue and white, illuminate exciting patterns of gradient color, and highlight constellations in opposing colors.


Man vs Nature

Rusted Pipe Caps will be the casing for our lamps, matching the natural decay of the pier posts. This will highlight Man’s battle with nature and enforce the need to address light pollution.



Galileo, the father of modern science, learned our place in the universe by gazing at the stars. We must reclaim our view of the

stars for the future of science.

IMPACT

The Most Integrated Art and Clean Technology Public Installation in NYC


  1. •2.5 Million Viewers – Over 860,000 people visit Hudson River Park per summer month.

  2. • 828 shining hours - 9 hours x 92 days.

  3. • 23,040 people interacting with the installation (2 people per 5 minutes)

  4. • Spontaneous Media - A dedicated PR Agency will implement a strategy focusing on Clean Technology, Business, Environment, City, Art and Culture. 

  5. • Extensive Social Media – Facebook, Twitter, and Blogs will be blasted all over the word.

  6. •Permanent Online Installation - Virtual portal where people anywhere can discover the project. Including information on Light Pollution Prevention, Energy Efficiency, Star Gazing, and Constellations.

  7. • Featured Article in the Wall Street Journal and more publications to follow.

  8. • Tourist Destination - Listing in guide books/pamphlets, recognized during boat tours, featured stop on walking and biking tours.

  9. • On Site Live Events – From Astronomy talks to world wide Twitter events featuring live streaming interactivity. These events will keep Reflecting The Stars discussed on media channels/blogs, expand our target market, and add substantial traffic to the website.

LIGHT POLLUTION

ART INTERVENTION

TECHNOLOGY

You

&


The Windmill Factory partners with responsible corporations to creatively address social or environmental causes. Our Arts Collective client list includes Microsoft, Apple, Cirque Du Soleil, 2008 Olympics.... Discover our manufactured works at... www.thewindmillfactory.com



Partners for Reflecting the Stars (RTS)


Hudson River Park Trust --  A partnership between New York State and City charged with the design, construction and operation of the five-mile Hudson River Park. RTS approval and site permits. www.hudsonriverpark.com


Rich Schwab -- Computer Engineer/Programmer.  RTS Technology Design.


Daniellé Pinna -- NYU Astronomy Professor. RTS Constellation Consultant


PigeonTail Design -- RTS Design Consultant. www.pigeontail.com


Amorphous Studios -- RTS Metal Consultant and Prototype Design.www.amorphousstudios.com


Kontraptionist --  RTS Electronic Consultant and Prototype Creation. www.kontraptionist.com

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