University Adopts AWARE Art Installation Featured at ArchLIGHT Summit
The AWARE art installation, which was featured at last year’s edition of Dallas Market Center’s ArchLIGHT Summit, has been permanently moved to the University of North Texas College of Visual Arts and Design’s Department of Design to promote sustainability and inspire Interior Design students and future generations of designers. ArchLIGHT Summit, the lighting trade event and educational platform for the architectural and design communities, took place on September 19-20, 2023.
The AWARE installation, an experiential art installation by Your Lighting Brand and The Lighting Exchange led by Co-Founder & Principal Jonathan Ayala, was designed to drive awareness of the need for sustainability in the lighting industry by using different lighting components.
“Having the AWARE exhibit as a permanent fixture at the Interior design school on campus serves as a daily source of inspiration for our students and as a reminder about the important role sustainability places in interior design,” said Jeannine Vail, Assistant Professor of Interior Design at the University of North Texas.
The College of Visual Arts and Design is accepting donations to cover the cost of additional materials and installation. Planned student engagement activities surrounding the installation include researching and producing banners on topics such as the History of Lighting, Policy in Lighting and Sustainability (such as LEED and WELL), Artificial vs. Natural Lighting, Product Development, and the Effects on Lighting and Behavior. Ideas for community engagement are also being explored. Online gifts may be made to Support the College of Visual Arts and Design and designate your gift for AWARE or contact Felicia Lewis, senior director for CVAD development and fundraising, Felicia.Lewis@unt.edu, (940) 369-8042.
Vail’s students will be making lighting fixtures in April as part of The Robert Bruce Thompson Student Design Competition. She will be encouraging them to use sustainable materials and methods for those projects. Additionally, Ayala has volunteered to guest lecture in this timeframe via Zoom to discuss sustainability and lighting.
“We are thrilled to have found a new home for the AWARE installation and that this important sustainability story has the opportunity to begin a new chapter,” Ayala said. “The University of North Texas fully embodies what this installation stands for, and we are honored to be contributing this symbol of sustainability to their future students and faculty.”
The University of North Texas was present for Student Day at ArchLIGHT Summit, September 20, along with other universities from across the country, to take part in educational programming, student-oriented interactive sessions, and demonstrations. In addition to dedicated programming, students were urged to walk the showroom floor to listen in on panels and learn the latest lighting technologies.
The next ArchLIGHT Summit will take place September 17-18, 2024. Registration is now open. For more information, visit www.ArchLIGHTSummit.com and follow ArchLIGHT Summit on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn for the latest developments and information.
Related Articles
