On May 20 “Star Wars™ and The Power of Costume“ opened at the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA), showcasing one of my most rewarding projects to date as a lighting designer. Not only am I am fan of the Star Wars franchise, but this exhibition also gave me the opportunity to try more dramatic and theatrical approaches to lighting than what we typically use in the museum setting.
Both Theodora Doulamis, the Exhibition Designer, and I wanted to make the experience as authentic as possible for the visitors by creating an immersive space that made you feel right in the middle of all the action, light years away from downtown Detroit.
When designing the lighting for “Star Wars™ and The Power of Costume“ I focused on two goals: bringing the characters to life and showcasing the art behind the costume designs.
Theodora had already designed immersive "sets" that helped tell a story and lead visitors on a journey through a galaxy far, far away. My job was then to create a lighting experience that would mimic that of a film set. I wanted the costumes to look the way people are used to seeing them in the films--as if the visitors were joining the characters right on set.
Also, because the DIA is a fine art museum, I wanted to showcase the craftsmanship and art behind every piece. I wanted visitors to be able to see and appreciate all of the small details of the costumes which were not clearly shown in the films. There were so many impressive details to be seen and it was my job to bring them to the forefront of the costumes so they could be appreciated.
The project for me was an incredible success of our vision. We created incredible “sets” that walked you through the whole Star Wars™ franchise in an elegant and beautiful way. Thus far, reviews have been positive and the DIA is thrilled to have such an important pop culture exhibition. Come see for yourself! “Star Wars™ and The Power of Costume“ is open until September 30, 2018.
The above video was created by Soraa. To read our full interview on “Star Wars™ and The Power of Costume“ click here.