The Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts houses the largest collection of European art in Moscow, which includes stunning examples of fine art and archeological and numismatic collections. However, this diverse range of objects makes it challenging to design and install a lighting scheme. The large areas of the museum are also constantly illuminated by a combination of natural daylight coming in through the ceilings, recessed light boxes with metal halide lamps in a daylight colour and a wide variety of LED lights.
The museum, located opposite the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, was completed in 1912 and its name was changed in 1937 to commemorate Russian Poet Alexander Pushkin and the 100th anniversary of his death. The International musical festival Svyatoslav Richter’s ‘December Nights’ has also been held in the Pushkin museum since 1981.
The Pushkin museum acknowledged that LED lighting was the most feasible solution to improve its lighting scheme as long as the luminaires chosen achieved the required colour rendering index of 90+. During the selection process, the Concord Beacon Muse LED spotlight became the favorite due to it being a variable-beam LED dimmable spotlight in a compact body that could easily be adapted and changed according to the museum’s requirements.
“Halogen reflector lamps have been the main source of exhibition and gallery spot lighting for many years,” said Konstantin Kubrin – the founder of Lumex Ltd, a lighting consultant in Moscow. “It is often the need to constantly re-lamp and reductions in the lighting equipment’s ability to focus that are the main motivators to switch to versatile technology. The Pushkin Museum first trialed LED within the archeological collection and temporary exhibits though utilising LED technology has now become normal practice for Pushkin museum. Because of their superior performance and longevity, LEDs are steadily replacing halogen lamps in all the halls at the museum.”
The award-winning Concord Beacon Muse LED is a fully adjustable spotlight. It can deliver a wide flood 65˚ beam angle which can be adjusted down to a 10˚ spot without the need for additional lenses or reflectors. The 10˚ tight spot is ideal for accent lighting for accentuating the texture, colour and shape of exhibits. Its 65˚ wide flood distribution can be optimised for uniform vertical and horizontal illuminance and wall washing effects. Also, when used with an elongation lens accessory it can create narrow beam angles for highlighting sculptures, mannequins, logos and shelving.
Available in 3000K & 4000K CCT with a high colour rendering index, Beacon Muse incorporates a discrete on board dimmer that provides control from 100% right down to 0%. There are also track dimming options via DALI and a choice of standard and high output models to suit any display or retail lighting application. The Concord Beacon Muse also has all the energy saving benefits of LED and, with lifetime of 50,000 hours, it is a virtually maintenance free solution.
For more information visit www.concord-lighting.com.
In Focus
This case study is part of an In Focus Feature on Exhibition Design
