WEEK #9-Jackie Gonzalez-We built this city!/Industrial

I feel like it is very Captian Obvious of me to say that lighting and industrial is a very great mix, so welcome aboard and let's get this cruise going! 

I would also like to mention that this post is going to be a smorgasbord of ideas, looks, and subtopics in Industrial lighting/looks), so bare with me. 

Lighting instruments are very industrial themselves or have elements that are found in factories. The cold metal body; the nuts and bolts; the strong beams of light that are warm or hot to the touch, lines on the fixture, and so on. I looked into the Industrial Revolution as well as what it means to have an industrial style and I must say that those looks can be quite easily recreated on stage, especially through the lighting. 

Sources of light in old factories from the Industrial Revolution usually came in through ginormous, steel windows which were mass produced during this time due to their low maintenance, stability, and fire resistant flames which was wonderful for these incredibly dangerous factories, equipment, and work. This look can totally be recreated with a simple window gobo and a strong beam; with that you have created half of the atmosphere and captured the statement piece of most old factories. 

(ABOVE: Old Factory | BELOW: "Industrial Window Gobo"

Furthermore, when you look up industrial style or industrial aesthetic, you will usually come across an interior design article or interior design advice on how to make your space look industrial or a love letter to industrial windows. It is a grand source of light and will forever be associated with this aesthetic that was never meant to be one or at least one within the interior design realm. 

Next, I would like to get into smoke and fog, which is an element found in theatrical lighting as well as factories, mass production, and industry. As I was looking through photos of the Industrial  Revolution there was one thing that was apparent in a lot of the exterior photos of a factory which was smoke, smog, or fog? This photograph is so cool in my opinion, and it immediately reminded me of the foggers and hazers in today's theatre productions and how easily we can recreate this by the push of a button or two and not have to have a production in the middle of a industrial city to achieve this look. 

(TOP: Production of "North and South" 

|BOTTOM: production of "The Shadow Factory" both productions are about working in factories, if I am not mistaken)

Don't you worry, I am almost done with this long post! I wanted to take this quick second to study the different lighting found in a factory or place of industry/mass production that is not as obvious as a humongous window. Sparks of light, fire, and heat stress can be so luminous and to me, count as a source of light even if they happen quickly. There have been a countless amount of times where I saw special effects or pyrotechnics used in shows. They are still dangerous if not handled with caution and supervision, but we can recreate fire and sparks whenever we want in today's day and age. It is incredible to see the variety of lighting specials and overall special effects that can be put on stage. Even a very warm wash and high side can signify fire without having to have the real thing here. 

 

(TOP: SPARKS | MIDDLE: INDUSTRIAL FURNACE | BOTTOM: SPARK EFFECTS AT A CONCERT)

Lastly, I am unsure if this counts as "industrial" but there are definitely industrial elements and lighting within it, let me explain. One of favorite plays is Sophie Treadwell's "Machinal", the set design and lighting design call for metal/metallic, harsh lighting angles, crank motifs, sharp cuts, obvious linear patterns, cool work light looks, just to name a few. The movement and pace of the show looks and feels like an assembly line with the repetitive movement direction and dialogue as well as strong themes of stress and cycle. It's an example of what I think an industrial aesthetic play looks like without mentioning industrial/ although always closely relating to it. The lighting emphasized the linear structure, and usually features sharp cut lights, and harsh beams, fog and haze. These angles and looks outline are gestures that just scream "INDUSTRIAL LOOK" to me. Also, Robert Edmond Jones was the scenic designer and possibly, the lighting designer when this show first premiered! 

(ABOVE: Straight backlight, obvious linear positions, cool beams, high and harsh angles for "Machinal") 

(ABOVE: Smoke or haze, sharp circles, and harsh light for "Machinal")

(ABOVE: Sharp beam, high and harsh light. Drawing by Robert Edmond Jones for "Machinal")