Trinity Light Chimes - Burning Man 2019
Donation protected
Why do I need your help?
Trinity Light Chimes is a unique project that requires philanthropic support. Overall expenses are projected at $34,720. Out of the overall budget, $22,670 (materials, supplies, and fabrication expenses) is needed now and integral to the project. I am seeking help to fulfill the immediate financial need of the project by reaching out to those that understand aiding artists and their endeavors to affect social change, is of great value to our culture and community.
About Trinity Light Chimes
Trinity Light Chimes is a majestic, kinetic, light, and sound art installation. Comprising three 16’ foot aluminum “light chimes,” the finished work will incorporate shaped, welded aluminum and LED lights with wind and solar power.
Anchored on reflective metal stands, the chimes' bases include aluminum rims outlined in LED strip lights. From the top, metal chimes are suspended from separate illuminated aluminum rims. These chimes contain a light source and create multiple spotlights directed on the ground. Paddles made from Fresnel lenses catch the wind and move circular hammers, also made from lenses, to gently connect with the chimes and produce a relaxing sound. Additionally, the wind contributes to the design by influencing the chimes to flow, undulate, and project, an organic pattern of light onto the ground.
Designed to be mesmerizing to the eyes and ears of the viewer, Trinity Light Chimes will be visually and audibly captivating. At the same time, the structure brings sustainable energy sources and technology into focus as a creative medium.
Inspiration for Trinity Light Chimes
Trinity Light Chimes is inspired and designed to bring awareness to everyday human behavior and its detrimental effect on the health of our native bird population.
The lights symbolize the light pollution generated from large cities that can mask the visibility of stars at night. These stars are critical to birds engaged in long-distance navigation, setting them off course and causing confusion, exhaustion, and, ultimately, death. The repetitive, circular pattern of the spotlights reference the deadly confusion birds experience when they lose focus and direction.
The aluminum disks reference the ingestion of metals carelessly disposed of in landfills. Without protective covering or barriers, it has been found that birds will ingest this metal. The influx of harmful metal into their diet negatively affects breeding behaviors and, ultimately, the health of our bird populations.
Thank you to Lights Out Baltimore for your encouragement and collaborative effort.
Lights Out Baltimore is a nonprofit project of the Baltimore Bird Club, a local chapter of the Maryland Ornithological Society. Their goal is to make Baltimore safe for migratory birds by turning out decorative lighting in the city during peak migration seasons. Additionally, they advocate for bird-safe building design that makes glass and windows visible to birds.
Learn more at www.lightsoutbaltimore.org
About Burning Man
Burning Man is an annual gathering of approximately 70,000 people in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert. Artists and attendees from around the world gather to become a part of this temporary metropolis dedicated to community, art, self-expression, and self-reliance. I am honored that Trinity Light Chimes has been selected for placement on the Playa (the most coveted exhibition space) at Burning Man for its first installation.
Occurring August 25th - September 2nd in 2019, the celebration serves as one of America’s largest venues for showcasing cutting-edge and socially-provocative artworks. After its premiere, Trinity Light Chimes will return to Maryland and be made available for permanent placement in a private collection, museum, or as one of the many innovative installations located throughout the city of Baltimore.
About Sean Michael Kenny - SMK Light
I am a light artist based in Baltimore, MD. I have been creating light art for public and private artwork collections in the United States for the last 15 years. Conceptually, I connect the fields of art and science to create educational, transformational, and unifying works of art.
In 2018, as part of Baltimore’s Light City Festival, I lit the exterior of the historic Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower. My work was enthusiastically supported by both Baltimore residents and visitors, as they enjoyed the display of a vivid 80’ x 40’ foot LED light projection stretched along with the height of this iconic building.
Most recently, I was commissioned by the Peale Center for Baltimore History and Architecture. Designed for placement in the entranceway of this historic building, The permanent work is a modern-day interpretation of the original Ring of Fire. Created by Rembrandt Peale in 1819, the Ring of Fire was the first gaslit chandelier, an example of the use of gaslight, in the United States. At the time, gaslight was as innovative as LED lighting is today. This initial use of gas as a source for generating light was the beginning of BGE (Baltimore Gas & Electric) founded by Rembrandt Peale and his Baltimore business peers at the time.
You can learn more about my career, body of work, and philosophical approach, on my website at www.smklight.com. You can see more photos and keep up with my most recent activity by viewing and/or following me on Instagram at SMKlight.
I would love to talk with you further and answer any questions you may have. Please do not hesitate to contact me; I can be reached at [phone redacted] or by emailing me at [email redacted].
Thank you for your time and consideration,
Sean Michael Kenny
Trinity Light Chimes
Trinity Light Chimes is a unique project that requires philanthropic support. Overall expenses are projected at $34,720. Out of the overall budget, $22,670 (materials, supplies, and fabrication expenses) is needed now and integral to the project. I am seeking help to fulfill the immediate financial need of the project by reaching out to those that understand aiding artists and their endeavors to affect social change, is of great value to our culture and community.
About Trinity Light Chimes
Trinity Light Chimes is a majestic, kinetic, light, and sound art installation. Comprising three 16’ foot aluminum “light chimes,” the finished work will incorporate shaped, welded aluminum and LED lights with wind and solar power.
Anchored on reflective metal stands, the chimes' bases include aluminum rims outlined in LED strip lights. From the top, metal chimes are suspended from separate illuminated aluminum rims. These chimes contain a light source and create multiple spotlights directed on the ground. Paddles made from Fresnel lenses catch the wind and move circular hammers, also made from lenses, to gently connect with the chimes and produce a relaxing sound. Additionally, the wind contributes to the design by influencing the chimes to flow, undulate, and project, an organic pattern of light onto the ground.
Designed to be mesmerizing to the eyes and ears of the viewer, Trinity Light Chimes will be visually and audibly captivating. At the same time, the structure brings sustainable energy sources and technology into focus as a creative medium.
Inspiration for Trinity Light Chimes
Trinity Light Chimes is inspired and designed to bring awareness to everyday human behavior and its detrimental effect on the health of our native bird population.
The lights symbolize the light pollution generated from large cities that can mask the visibility of stars at night. These stars are critical to birds engaged in long-distance navigation, setting them off course and causing confusion, exhaustion, and, ultimately, death. The repetitive, circular pattern of the spotlights reference the deadly confusion birds experience when they lose focus and direction.
The aluminum disks reference the ingestion of metals carelessly disposed of in landfills. Without protective covering or barriers, it has been found that birds will ingest this metal. The influx of harmful metal into their diet negatively affects breeding behaviors and, ultimately, the health of our bird populations.
Thank you to Lights Out Baltimore for your encouragement and collaborative effort.
Lights Out Baltimore is a nonprofit project of the Baltimore Bird Club, a local chapter of the Maryland Ornithological Society. Their goal is to make Baltimore safe for migratory birds by turning out decorative lighting in the city during peak migration seasons. Additionally, they advocate for bird-safe building design that makes glass and windows visible to birds.
Learn more at www.lightsoutbaltimore.org
About Burning Man
Burning Man is an annual gathering of approximately 70,000 people in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert. Artists and attendees from around the world gather to become a part of this temporary metropolis dedicated to community, art, self-expression, and self-reliance. I am honored that Trinity Light Chimes has been selected for placement on the Playa (the most coveted exhibition space) at Burning Man for its first installation.
Occurring August 25th - September 2nd in 2019, the celebration serves as one of America’s largest venues for showcasing cutting-edge and socially-provocative artworks. After its premiere, Trinity Light Chimes will return to Maryland and be made available for permanent placement in a private collection, museum, or as one of the many innovative installations located throughout the city of Baltimore.
About Sean Michael Kenny - SMK Light
I am a light artist based in Baltimore, MD. I have been creating light art for public and private artwork collections in the United States for the last 15 years. Conceptually, I connect the fields of art and science to create educational, transformational, and unifying works of art.
In 2018, as part of Baltimore’s Light City Festival, I lit the exterior of the historic Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower. My work was enthusiastically supported by both Baltimore residents and visitors, as they enjoyed the display of a vivid 80’ x 40’ foot LED light projection stretched along with the height of this iconic building.
Most recently, I was commissioned by the Peale Center for Baltimore History and Architecture. Designed for placement in the entranceway of this historic building, The permanent work is a modern-day interpretation of the original Ring of Fire. Created by Rembrandt Peale in 1819, the Ring of Fire was the first gaslit chandelier, an example of the use of gaslight, in the United States. At the time, gaslight was as innovative as LED lighting is today. This initial use of gas as a source for generating light was the beginning of BGE (Baltimore Gas & Electric) founded by Rembrandt Peale and his Baltimore business peers at the time.
You can learn more about my career, body of work, and philosophical approach, on my website at www.smklight.com. You can see more photos and keep up with my most recent activity by viewing and/or following me on Instagram at SMKlight.
I would love to talk with you further and answer any questions you may have. Please do not hesitate to contact me; I can be reached at [phone redacted] or by emailing me at [email redacted].
Thank you for your time and consideration,
Sean Michael Kenny
Trinity Light Chimes
Organizer
Sean Michael Kenny
Organizer
Baltimore, MD
