FABRIC OF OUR SOCIETY

The Fabric of Our Society editorial is a platform for industry thought leaders to provide experience-based opinions and reflections on various topics. Diverse perspectives are respected and most welcome. Want to contribute? Email [email protected]

December 2021

Holiday Lights

Zachary Pearson, Lighting Designer, Fisher Marantz Stone 
IESNYC Board Member

My passion for enhancing an environment with lights and telling a story started in childhood. As a member of the IESNYC Board, I am excited to continue sharing light as an art form and encouraging the next generation to embrace the possibilities and never stop exploring. Over the years, I have been fortunate to experience Light Festivals worldwide. This Holiday Season, I had the opportunity to explore five festivals in the Metropolitan area.

For the chance to experience exceptional light art from international and local creators, Lightscape at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is a must see this winter. The installations range from fully immersive environments to interactive and meaningful experiences to share at "Wish Tree," to breathtaking photo ops at "Winter Cathedral". Beyond the high caliber installations of light art, the gardens themselves have transformed into an ethereal wonderland that seamlessly leads you from experience to experience. The tour ends with a mesmerizing light show that can be viewed from two distinct vantage points. This well curated collection of light art is a Holiday treat I highly recommend. MORE >

November 2021

Illuminating Equity Task Force

Brigid Hardiman, Lightcraft
IESNYC Board Member

I think my most important project since joining the board last year has been assembling the Illuminating Equity Task Force. As leader of this task force, I also serve as the IESNYC Board liaison to our affiliate, the Equity in Lighting initiative (EIL). To demonstrate our commitment as a partner of EIL, our task force has pledged to coordinate with our existing committees to host at least three events focusing on diversity in the coming year. The first event will be an “Intro to Equity for Lighting Professionals” seminar in February. This will be a comprehensive introductory seminar to help make the social justice landscape in lighting a little less intimidating. To learn more about EIL and get involved, visit equityinlighting.org   MORE >

October 2021

IESNYC Sense of Community

Melissa L. Goren, MGE
IESNYC Board Member

I have been  a manager on the IESNYC Board since 2019 and have been a member of the Programs Committee a year or so before that.  Now I serve as the Board Liaison to the Committee and continue to be an active member of the programs team. I miss those pre-pandemic days, learned a lot of new skills during the time we were apart,  and look forward to what’s ahead now that we are entering “new normal” times.

Back in February 2020, we held a wonderful in-person program on a hot topic – Virtual Reality. All in attendance had a great time learning about the products from the manufacturers and the designers who use them. Who would have thought that just a few weeks later, all in-person gatherings would have to come to a stop, and we all had to work remotely and communicate via Teams, Skype, Zoom, and other services.  From the start, I felt so isolated from my friends, family, coworkers, the Board, and the Committee.  The entire lighting community seemed so far away, and I missed seeing everyone’s expressions, and experiencing the comradery one feels during in-person meetings. MORE >

September 2021

IESNYC Committee Involvement

Randy Sabedra, RS Lighting
IESNYC Board Member

I’m often asked…”Why are you so involved in the IESNYC and how do you find the time to do so much since you’re a busy lighting designer?” My answer is that I really like helping the other IESNYC Board Members and our Committee Chairs.  Their passion to accomplish great things for our Section and lighting community energizes me.  Their goals become mine. And their success makes it all worth my time. 

I’ve been a member of the IESNYC for over 20 years.  I served as Section Vice President in 2003/05 and as President in 2005/07.  Ever since, I’ve remained on the Board of Managers, (as have other past presidents), and have held Chair and Co-Chair positions on many committees.  As you can see, I’ve been around for a long time!   I have seen our membership grow so that we are now the largest IES Section. It’s also rewarding to see so many of our members become active participants on our committees. MORE >

August 2021

Broadening Our Reach

Shoshanna Segal, Hartranft Lighting Design
IESNYC Vice President

August is a tricky month. We’re deep in summer, but back-to-school sale signs are everywhere, and nights are taking on that crisp edge. Even at the beginning of the month, we can feel a tug toward a busier, more scheduled season. Given the currently relaxed pandemic restrictions, fall seems both exciting and worrying.

While I’m still not fluent in all of the TLA’s* that go along with my new position, I am awed by the sheer magnitude of creativity and commitment brought to bear on the many aspects of life that go into running the section. I am thrilled that the programming and education committees have an exciting collection of programs scheduled for the fall covering a variety of topics and subjects.  MORE >