Object research

Object: Lightbulb

1. Research (use within science, pop culture, politics)

Created by Thomas Edison/ Joseph Swan in 1850.


Use in fashion:

http://www.digitaltrends.com/wearables/a-shirt-that-sends-a-message-literally-with-led-lights/


LED lights use within fashion is popular with celebrities and modern designers, especially when they want to stand out from the crowd. The individuality and theatricality of the lights make the outfits perfect for red carpet events and high fashion. A perfect example of this is the light up gown created by Cute Circuit and worn by Katy Perry at the Met Gala.  

LED lights in shoes are growing in popularity especially in the dance music scene. Worn by ravers at music festivals and concerts, and dancers wanting to create more of an impact in their dancing.

in music:

• Bright Lights, Big City - Sonny James (1971)
• Shut Out the Light - Bruce Springsteen (1998)
• Lights - Ellie Goulding
• Flashing Lights - Kanye West
• All of the Lights - Kanye West

Fujiya and Miyagi's album 'Lightbulbs'

use in music videos:

will.i.am's Scream and Shout video contains clips of him in a mirrored room, and placed srategically around the room are light bulbs. These bulbs are reflected all over the room, which gives more light and in my opinion gives the room a luxurious feel, echoed by the crown on his head.

Many artists use fluorescent tubing lights in their music videos which provide a strong visual impact and make the video seem very futuristic. I have noticed that lights tend to be a focus rather than a tool in videos when the music is more electronic, as the electric nature of them reflects the electronic way the music is made and sounds.

Use on TV and film: 

• Callan was a spy tv series that ran from 1967 -1972. "The swinging lightbulb in the opening titles was not merely some attractive credit sequence design: The Section regularly made use of a 500 watt lightbulb swinging in the face of interrogation suspects to help disorientate and frighten them."

• https://www.cnet.com/uk/news/the-12-monkeys-tv-remake-will-sync-with-your-light-bulbs/ - This Syfy show uses audio cues in the soundtrack to sync with the specialist Phillips Hue lighting system. This creates a 'light track' to involve the viewer in the action.

• The light bulb conspiracy is a documentary about planned obsolescence - which is the limited lifespan of objects. Lightbulbs are perfect examples of this due to the Phoebus Cartel. 

• Uncle Fester in Addam's family - he is able to conduct electricity and demonstrates this by turning the light bulb on and off with his mouth.

Advertising:

• https://youtu.be/nq4Po4RRRqY - The Mercedes advert utilises LED lights within the driving suit to display sound. The lights form in different patterns and rhythms depends on the sound. Mercedes uses the light suit to show the power of their cars engines by reflecting the sound of the car.

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeoHl7S5SP8 - This Red Bull cartoon features Thomas Edison, struggling to successfully create the lightbulb - after he drinks the can of Red Bull, he has his bright idea, otherwise known as a 'lightbulb moment'. He takes the lightbulb out of his thought cloud and screws it into the fitting which lights it up.