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Electro-luminescent blind - Digital Dawn

Digital Dawn

  • Object:

    Electro-luminescent blind

  • Place of origin:

    Dorset (made)

  • Date:

    2003 (made)

  • Artist/Maker:

    Wingfield, Rachel (designer)
    Elumin8 (manufacturer)

  • Materials and Techniques:

    Copper in zinc sulphate ink applied by silkscreen process to indium tin oxide splattered substrate, circuit boards, wood laminate mount

  • Museum number:

    T.155-2004

  • Gallery location:

    In Storage

Digital Dawn is a window blind using electro-luminescent technology (EL). The light emitting element of the blind is printed onto a silk surface in a complex foliage pattern. When illuminated, the light 'grows' across the surface, gradually spreading through the pattern. The blind is intended for domestic use, and will respond by sensor to changing light conditions. As the light around it dims, the blind itself will get gradually brighter; therefore the blind would become illuminated at night but will fade completely in bright sunlight. Wingfield is interested in the problems associated with sufferers of seasonal affect disorder (SAD) and both 'Digital Dawn' and her other examples of light-based textiles such as 'Light Sleeper Bedding' respond to these issues by providing a constant and responsive source of light.

Physical description

Electro-luminescent and silk blind with light reactive driver and light sensor. The plant forms are hand drawn and scanned into development growth software. The driver programs the growth of the organic plant forms; the sequence time dependent on light fluctuations. Wood laminate mount. Copper dipped in zinc sulphate ink applied using a silkscreen process to an indium tin oxide splattered substrate, wood laminate mount, circuit boards

Place of Origin

Dorset (made)

Date

2003 (made)

Artist/maker

Wingfield, Rachel (designer)
Elumin8 (manufacturer)

Materials and Techniques

Copper in zinc sulphate ink applied by silkscreen process to indium tin oxide splattered substrate, circuit boards, wood laminate mount

Dimensions

Length: 120 cm, Width: 62 cm, Weight: 0.5-1 kg

Object history note

Digital Dawn was acquired from the first production run of the electro-luminescent blind. The effective life of the blind is significantly increased by the use of the light reactive driver.

Historical context note

Wingfield is interested in integrating light into domestic interiors, engaging with the problems associated with sufferers of seasonal affect disorder (SAD). The plant growth is intended to mimic nature, providing a dynamic interface between the textile surface and the natural environment.

Descriptive line

'Digital Dawn', designed by Rachel Wingfield, British, 2003

Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)

Klassen, Filiz. From the Bazaar to Space Artchitecture: Fabrics Reshape Material and Spatial Qualities of Built Environments. UK Textile: The Journal of Cloth & Culture. 4, 3, pp 256-269

Production Note

Attribution note: Digital Dawn was originally manufactured in a batch of five, three were exhibited throughout 2003. The driver could be replaced and the technology upgraded if necessary. If connected it could continuously, with a a shelf life of seven years.
Reason For Production: Retail

Materials

Laminates; Polymer

Techniques

Screen print

Categories

Textiles; Household objects; Lighting

Production Type

Limited edition

Collection

Textiles and Fashion Collection

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