Luminary speakers headline SPARC 2013 program

A line-up of internationally and nationally renowned experts in lighting design, education, research and architecture are speakers at the SPARC International Lighting Event 2013 to be held in Sydney in June.

SPARC 2013 will build on the successful inaugural SPARC 2011, and will once again align with Vivid Sydney, the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest annual celebration of light, music and ideas. SPARC 2013 features an educational seminar program alongside a cutting-edge exhibition of global developments and future directions in lighting. 

Speakers include:

• lighting designer Motoko Ishii from Japan, whose activities cover a wide range of lighting works, from urban lighting to light objects and light performances. Main works include Tokyo Tower, Rainbow Bridge, Himeji Castle and Shanghai World Financial Center. Ishii will discuss the path of, and influences on, lighting design and future developments in the field, including the evolving advances in optical technology.
• Associate Professor in the Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning at the University of Sydney Dr Wendy Davis. Director of the Illumination Design postgraduate program at the University of Sydney, Dr Davis is a vision scientist who actively researches topics related to lighting and colour, with a particular interest in the quality and desirability of emerging and next-generation energy efficient lighting technologies.
• Tim Greer, Director at Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects, whose extensive experience encompasses theatre design, retail, acoustic control, restaurants, housing, industrial design and institutional building. Recent multi-award winning projects include Carriageworks at Eveleigh - Contemporary Performing Arts Centre; Scots Church Redevelopment Apartment Building known as ‘Portico’; The Paddington Reservoir Gardens and The Glasshouse Arts Conference and Entertainment Centre.
• Paul Beale, owner of Electrolight a niche lighting design consultancy based in Melbourne. Electrolight specialises in the architectural lighting design market, which requires strong creative and technical design competencies. Beale’s project experience includes Webb Bridge Melbourne; Fusionpolis, Singapore; Heide Gallery, Melbourne; Melbourne Theatre Company; Melbourne Recital Centre; and Qatar National Bank, Doha.
• Architect and lighting designer Emanuel Clair of Light Cibles, an independent lighting design consultancy globally recognised for its technical expertise, rich experience and creative solutions. Light Cibles strives for innovative solutions that are balanced with practical thinking about maintenance, durability and investment. Clair leads four Light Cibles agencies: Paris, Madrid, Singapore and Tianjin.
• John Johnson, owner of the UK-based lighting consultancy Lightwaves which specialises in the design and installation of lighting for museums and galleries, both temporary exhibitions and permanent displays. Lightwaves works globally, aiming to achieving a balance between preservation of the artworks and the visual impact for the viewing public, as well as reducing power consumption wherever possible and introducing new technology in lamps and light sources as appropriate.

“Australia is proud to again host SPARC, a premier lighting event on the world stage for sectors including design, lighting design, industrial design, engineering, architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, building and project management, facility management, and major end users of architectural, retail and commercial lighting,’ said SPARC CEO Bryan Douglas.

“Thousands of participants will experience the latest in lighting technology through world-class lighting exhibitions by local and international companies. The networking opportunities also include the spectacular opening ceremony and closing gala dinner at Sydney’s Town Hall,” he said.

SPARC 2013 will be held during Vivid Sydney from 4–6 June 2013 at the Overseas Passenger Terminal, Circular Quay, in Sydney. It begins on Tuesday 4 June 2013 with displays and the opening ceremony. The displays are open throughout Wednesday 5 June in conjunction with keynote presentations, conference sessions and educational seminars. The displays are again open during Thursday 6 June, before the closing gala dinner that evening. For more information: www.sparcevent.org or contact info@sparcevent.org.