On January 19, 2023, the Holocaust Memorial in Rio de Janeiro opened its doors to the public, standing as a testament to memory, resilience, and reflection. Situated at Mirante do Pasmado in Yitzhak Rabin Park, this museum honors the victims and survivors of the Holocaust while educating future generations about the dangers of hate and prejudice. Central to this immersive experience is a custom-designed lighting solution featuring EPTA LED 590 nm light fixtures, creating a desaturated, emotionally evocative environment.
This project utilized the latest in LED lighting technology to support the memorial’s goals of education, preservation, and storytelling.
Key Takeaways
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- Immersive Atmosphere: The use of 590 nm amber light creates a desaturated environment, transforming the space into a “world with no color” and enhancing the narrative’s emotional weight.
- Artifact Protection: Narrow-spectrum lighting protects delicate materials from UV radiation, ensuring the longevity of artifacts and exhibits.
- Advanced Lighting Design: Featuring EPTA 60 LED fixtures with an L70 rating of 200,000 hours, the lighting solution delivers consistent performance and sustainability.
Project Overview
Project Title: Holocaust Museum Lighting with 590 nm LED Fixtures
Location: Mirante do Pasmado, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Client Type: Cultural and Historical Institution
Objective: Develop a lighting solution that aligns with the memorial’s thematic focus, preserves historical artifacts, and provides a sustainable operational model.
Project Background
The Holocaust Memorial in Rio de Janeiro, conceived over 30 years ago, culminated in the creation of an immersive museum space beneath a 20-meter monument symbolizing the Ten Commandments. Its primary goal is to preserve the memory of the Holocaust while educating the public on the dangers of hate, prejudice, and intolerance.
Highlights of the Memorial
- Three Key Exhibitions:
- Life Before the Holocaust: Showcasing the vibrant, diverse cultures that thrived before Nazi persecution.
- Life During the Holocaust: A discolored environment where even visitors’ appearances are altered, reflecting the chaos and loss of the era.
- Life After the Holocaust: Celebrating resilience and the human capacity for rebuilding, with images gradually regaining color.
- Interactive Features: Visitors engage with survivor stories, historical artifacts, and multimedia displays.
- Architectural Integration: The memorial’s design blends its monument and basement exhibition space with the surrounding park, creating a seamless cultural and historical experience.
Lighting Solution
To achieve these objectives, Access Fixtures provided a custom lighting solution featuring EPTA 60 LED fixtures with a wavelength of 590 nm. This wavelength produces amber light, effectively desaturating colors and transforming the space into a world devoid of vibrancy—a key thematic element of the memorial.
Technical Highlights
- Fixture Model: EPTA 60 590 nm LED Linear Fixture
- Output: Narrow-spectrum amber light tailored for artifact preservation and thematic alignment.
- Mounting Configuration: Custom bracket mounts for precise placement and optimized light distribution.
- Durability: Marine-grade finish to withstand environmental conditions, ensuring long-term performance.
- Energy Efficiency: High-lumen output at low energy consumption, supporting sustainability goals.
Lighting Layout
- Ten fixtures were arranged strategically to provide uniform illumination across the exhibition space.
- A max/min ratio of under 2.0 ensures even light levels without harsh contrasts, enhancing visual comfort and accessibility.
Implementation & Results
Seamless Installation
The lighting fixtures were installed in the “Life During the Holocaust” section of the exhibition, where their amber glow sets a somber tone, stripping away color and reinforcing the emotional weight of the displays.
Visitor Experience
As visitors enter the space, their perceptions of color are altered, mirroring the loss and despair experienced during the Holocaust. This immersive environment deepens their engagement with the exhibits, helping them connect more profoundly with the stories of survival and resilience.
Artifact Protection
The 590 nm light minimizes UV exposure, preserving delicate materials, including photographs, letters, and artifacts. This ensures that the memorial can continue educating future generations without compromising its historical integrity.
Sustainability and Cost Efficiency
With a lifespan of 200,000 hours, the LED fixtures reduce maintenance needs and energy costs, providing the memorial with a long-term, eco-friendly solution.
Final Thoughts
This project exemplifies the power of thoughtful lighting design in cultural spaces. By incorporating 590 nm LED fixtures, the Holocaust Memorial has successfully created an environment that fosters education, reflection, and connection. The memorial now stands as a beacon for preserving history while inspiring action against prejudice and hate.
Conclusion
The Holocaust Memorial in Rio de Janeiro serves as a poignant reminder of the past while inspiring action against intolerance and hate. Access Fixtures’ tailored lighting solution using 590 nm LED fixtures played a critical role in creating a reflective and immersive experience for visitors. By balancing technical innovation with historical sensitivity, Access Fixtures helped the memorial achieve its goals of preservation, education, and emotional impact. This project exemplifies how thoughtful lighting design can transform cultural spaces into powerful platforms for storytelling and reflection.
Lighting The Holocaust Museum: A World With No Color FAQs
Why was 590 nm light chosen for this project?
The 590 nm wavelength produces amber light that desaturates color perception, aligning with the memorial’s theme of a “world with no color.” It also minimizes UV exposure to preserve sensitive artifacts.
How does the lighting enhance the visitor experience?
The amber lighting creates an immersive, desaturated environment that amplifies the emotional impact of the exhibits, encouraging reflection and deeper engagement.
What is the lifespan of the EPTA 60 LED fixtures?
The EPTA 60 fixtures boast an L70 rating of 200,000 hours, ensuring exceptional durability and minimal maintenance needs.
Are the lighting fixtures energy-efficient?
Yes, the EPTA fixtures deliver high lumen output with low power consumption, making them a sustainable and cost-effective lighting solution.
Can this lighting solution be adapted for other spaces?
Absolutely. Access Fixtures specializes in custom lighting solutions that can be tailored to meet the needs of cultural, historical, and other specialized environments.
What steps were taken to ensure artifact preservation?
The 590 nm lighting minimizes UV exposure, preventing photodegradation and ensuring the long-term preservation of sensitive materials.
How does the lighting design achieve uniform illumination?
A detailed photometric analysis guided the strategic placement of fixtures, ensuring even light distribution with a max/min ratio under 2.0.
What role did Access Fixtures play in this project?
Access Fixtures provided a tailored lighting solution, combining technical expertise with a deep understanding of the memorial’s thematic and functional requirements.
Can visitors experience the lighting design’s impact firsthand?
Yes, the “Life During the Holocaust” section features a striking desaturation effect, where the amber light alters the appearance of colors, including visitors’ reflections.
How do the fixtures support the memorial’s sustainability goals?
The fixtures’ long lifespan and energy efficiency reduce maintenance and operational costs, aligning with the memorial’s sustainability commitments.