Week 10: Las Vegas

It can be hard to remember just how important architectural lighting can be until you see the Las Vegas Strip during the day, and then at night. During an overnight day trip to Las Vegas, we walked down the strip during the day, and I was surprised at how little actually jumped out at me. Sure, the mini Eiffel Tower and the Statue of Liberty were a bit odd, but my eye wasn't drawn to them. Everything was cast under the same harsh sunlight. But once the sun went down, then my eye wasn't sure what it was drawn to more. Lighting via architecture so often goes unnoticed because my definition, most architectural light designs don't change that much. Most buildings are lit in the same fashion the whole time, so the eye does not pick up on it repeatedly. In Vegas, however, everything is flashing and changing and your eyes are forced to look at the large extravagant buildings calling for your attention and your money. It interesting how much a difference lighting in architecture can make and how appealing lights can make a place, even when you're aware that they just want your money.