MIXED MEDIA OPPORTUNITY // NYCEDC Seeks Creative Proposals For Downtown Light Installation

A light installation under the Brooklyn Bridge in DUMBO - photo by Jules Antonio

Think you have an idea that could illuminate Lower Manhattan? The New York City Economic Development Corporation wants to hear it!

The organization, which promotes economic growth throughout the city, is calling for proposals "for the development and implementation of an innovative and engaging lighting and placemaking initiative aimed at increasing Lower Manhattan’s exposure, expanding its appeal in the evening hours, and spurring more diverse business activity by using the area's buildings and public spaces to create a strong neighborhood identifier visible to viewers from both near and far."

NYCEDC is looking for a proposal that embraces and enhances Lower Manhattan's identity as a vibrant, 24/7 community:

This project should occur on a regular basis (i.e., weekly, monthly) and be able to be implemented by the end of 2012, and ideally have a guaranteed life span of at least three years. The lighting project may include, and is not limited to, projection-mapping including 3D effects, interactive elements and opportunities for interaction, up/downlighting and pedestrian or kinetic motion-activated lighting.

The project is scheduled to kick off by the end of 2012 and will continue for at least three years. The selected team will receive up to $1 million from NYCEDC, along with other potential funding sources, to realize their proposal.

The deadline for submitting a proposal is February 13, 2012, and you can find out more information from the official press release as well as the project's procurement page.

-- John Ruscher

ESSENTIAL EVENT // Brooklyn Night Bazaar Returns With A Massive Three-Day Extravaganza Starting Thursday

All images © JDS.

Back in October we told you about the first Brooklyn Night Bazaar, which took over the Dekalb Market for a lively Sunday evening. Now the bazaar is returning to Brooklyn for an even bigger blowout. This Thursday, Friday and Saturday the bazaar will take over a 40,000 square foot warehouse along the Williamsburg waterfront to present more than 100 local vendors, art installations, three solid nights of live music and plenty of local beer and wine. And all of this goodness (except the ticketed music space) is free and open to the public.

Check out the long list of vendors that you'll find at the bazaar here. If you still need to grab some gifts following our Handmade Holiday Craft Fair this past weekend, here's your chance! Pick up a Playbutton, some regionally adapted seeds, a killer skateboard and much more. And of course there will be tons of delicious local food as well.

The music program will include a DJ set by LCD Soundsystem's James Murphy on Thursday, an epic rock lineup featuring Fucked Up, DOM, Big Troubles and more on Friday and a double whammy with The Hold Steady and Titus Andronicus on Saturday. Grab tickets for those shows here.

The most exciting part of this edition of the Brooklyn Night Bazaar, though, is where it'll take place. Renowned Danish architecture firm JDS have designed an incredible masterplan for the huge warehouse, drawing inspiration from Lars Von Trier's Dogville. Additionally, the folks behind Greenpoint's Bring To Light: Nuit Blanche festival will be curating an array of video installations and light projections.

Hit the jump to see renderings of JDS' Brooklyn Night Bazaar masterplan.

-- John Ruscher

ILLUMINATING // LuminAID Is Spreading Sustainable Solar Light Across The Globe

 

The folks behind LuminAID reached their fundraising goal of $10,000 just two days after launching their campaign on IndieGoGo. They've now raised more than triple that amount, and the total continues to climb with over two weeks left to go. 

Such enthusiasm and support is no surprise considering what an amazing idea they have. The LuminAID light is a solar-rechargeable waterproof lantern that's lightweight, portable and inflatable, making it useful in almost any situation where light is needed, from a weekend camping trip to disaster-stricken areas or developing communities across the globe. 

These lights will be particularly valuable to the many people around the world who lack regular electricity and are forced to rely on dangerous kerosene-fueled lanterns. That's why, for a pledge of $25, you can purchase your own light while also donating one to LuminAID's worldwide community projects.

After charging in sunlight for four to six hours, a LuminAID light can provide three hours of light on its high setting and six on low. It can also be shipped more efficiently than other light sources, with more than 50 LuminAID lights taking of the space of 8 traditional solar flashlights.

Head over to LuminAID's IndieGoGo page to order your own LuminAID light and help spread safe and sustainable light around the world. For larger pledges you can receive and give even more, from your own LuminAID t-shirt to helping supply an entire orphanage with lights. Check the community map to see places that have been illuminated so far. A LuminAID light has already made it to the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro!

Hit the jump for more photos and a video about the LuminAID light.

-- John Ruscher