The Auckland City Council is performing upgrades to the Fort Street area as we speak. Details about the upgrade are on their website.
 |  |
This affects Fort Lane and the Urban Art Gallery too.
 |  |
Plans include installation of a work entitled ‘Eyelight’, a neon work, will stretch the length of Fort Lane subject to property owner approvals. It is said that this work, will bring lighting to the western side of buildings in Fort Lane to increase interest and safety of Fort Lane at night.
Artist impression of Fort Lane featuring the Eyelight art work created by Swedish artist David Svensson (image from Auckland City web site)
There is a focus on lighting as a design decision that is planned to transform the area in the evenings. The design includes the Eyelight mounted on the western side of buildings in Fort Lane plus lighting for the ground surface (that will not detract from the Eyelight artwork).
I see the lighting decisions as social and commercial ones. Good for getting people into Fort Lane, good for supporting the bars, clubs and restaurants in the lane. Good for bringing people into an Urban Art Gallery at night? Makes me think a night re-launch of the gallery may be in order once the upgrades are complete.
