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Inspired by natural forms, geometric solids, Islamic and Gothic architecture, each new luminarium is a labyrinth of winding paths and inspiring domes that are flooded in radiant colour, as daylight shines through the luminarium’s translucent plastic fabric.
Once inside, visitors are immersed into a world of shifting subtle and saturated hues where they may wander, sit down, and lose themselves in sensory bliss – awakening the senses.
It is a paradox that such a stimulating environment can simultaneously be so calming, comforting and exciting, compelling many to rest, meander, or meditate.
The subtle soundscape created specifically for the luminarium accompanies the visitors in the experience.
Described as somewhere between a womb and a cathedral, where the outside world can be forgotten and where you are transported into a whole other world of light.
The Luminaria truly are for everyone.
From humble community sites to high-profile cultural landmarks, for all publics, regardless of their age and culture, embracing accessibility and neurodiversity. The luminaria are designed to be the most accessible and inclusive of offerings.
Architects of Air is passionate and skilled in creating a safe, nurturing environment for whoever enters. And this means more than just designing and crafting a luminarium’s physical form: this means creating space for wonder, reflection, emotion, exploration and human connection.
If you’re ready to find out more about hosting a luminarium, get in contact with Architects of Air.
Why host a Luminarium?
The Broadest Appeal
A Luminarium is for everyone. Â Appreciated by all ages, all cultures, all abilities. A Luminarium is the most inclusive offering.
A Powerful Magnet
The visibility of Architects of Air’s Luminaria often makes them a centrepiece to a festival and a huge magnet to attract the public passing by.
Great Media Coverage
The Luminaria are enormously photogenic, encouraging front-page press photos, an avalanche of online social media and TV coverage.
Universality & Versatility
Luminaria have been exhibited above the Arctic Circle and in the desert, in daytime and at night, indoors and outside, in the heart of the city and on a mountainside.
Professional Service
Architects of Air has built a solid reputation for reliability over 30 years of international touring whilst maintaining a 100% safety record.
Strong Sponsor Appeal
Offering a wide range of possibilities for publicity and hospitality, a Luminarium can be a great platform for raising a sponsor’s visibility.
Inclusivity
Rooted in a desire to create a transformative experience which is accessible for all levels of physical ability, Architects of Air remains a company which holds inclusivity at its core. The Luminaria truly are for everyone. From humble community sites to high-profile cultural landmarks, for all publics, regardless of their age and culture, embracing accessibility and neurodiversity. The Luminaria are designed to be the most accessible and inclusive of offerings
Architects of Air’s Luminarium presented at the Big Umbrella Festival at the Lincoln Centre for the Performing Arts in New York in April 2024 – a weekend of programming, designed with and for neurodiverse audiences.
In the media
The Luminaria are very photogenic and offer exceptional promotional potential. They are successful in attracting good media coverage. It is not unusual to have a front-page photo on a national daily. TV news reportage is common as well as occasional live broadcasts. Web coverage is now enormous with some agency photos of Luminaria achieving an incredible worldwide profile for the host event.
“I’m thrilled to be able to send this thank you your way. Having you as part of our programming for Big Umbrella’s weekend was a delight. We have collectively created memorable and unique experiences for audiences, and we’ve heard such wonderful feedback internally and externally.”
Rebecca Podsednik
Director of Programming at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, New York, USA – 2024
“We were confident that bringing a Luminarium to Leek to open up a conversation and build some relationships was a good place to start to build that trust and those relationships. But we couldn’t quite have anticipated how well it would work in helping us achieve our aims.Â
It sounds trite to say it appeals to everyone but it goes beyond that and is not only accessible for all but we found truly inspiring for all. It offered us the chance to meet lots of schools, charities and community groups and then then the combination of some pre booked tickets but also walk ups worked really well. We were told there were certain communities (those from the local housing estate) who definitely wouldn’t engage with us….but they did! They came and queued up and told their family and friends and absolutely loved it.”
Sarah Bird
Director of Outside Arts, Leek, UK – 2023
“Let me sing the praises for your patient, detailed, methodical work and advisement. The onsite team you sent us were spectacular and quickly became valued friends and colleagues.
The late shift we made from Uptown Charlotte to the park in Ballantyne is a move that we’ll look back on as transformational for our organization and city. AoA was a centerpiece of what was offered there, and big part of what made it a success, and reason to do more.”
Tom Gabbard
President of Blumenthal Performing Arts, Charlotte NC, USA – 2022
“The participation of AoA in Aichi Triennale 2016 was epoch-making. Besides the luminarium’s wondrousness it generated positive experiences for Triennale who programmed it, the town that exhibited it and the audience who visited it. I think the luminarium embodied the theme of “Rainbow Caravanserai” perfectly and the audience response was excellent.”
Chihiro Minato
Artistic Director of Aichi Triennale, Aichi, Japan – 2016
“As a presenter, I have to say the experience was nothing short of remarkable. You provided what was absolutely the most thorough preproduction I’ve ever encountered, and a terrific on-the-ground team to support what was successful beyond even our wildest dreams. There wasn’t a person – no matter how old, how tired, how jaded – that wasn’t blown away by the Pentalum experience. And who can blame them? Really, it is utterly extraordinary. In case you don’t know, we broke all records with this. Huge thanks from all of us – for everyone on our team the project created an indelible memory, one we’ll be proud of for a good long while!”
Christopher Wrango
Programmer of The Lawn on D , Boston, USA – 2015
“Exxopolis was a superb addition and one of the prime images and experiences of the MOFO festival. We can declare Exxopolis as a success based on the impact it had upon the festival and the individuals who were able to enjoy it.”
Brian Ritchie
Curator of MONA FOMA, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia – 2015
“Thank you for sharing this spectacular art structure with the world. The Museum staff, the Board members and general public was mesmerized by the experience. Art education being core to our mission, Amococo was the perfect platform for us to demonstrate the heart and soul of our existence.”
Debi Gray
Executive Director of Contemporary Art Centre of Virginia, USA – 2011
“It was such a pleasure to have your team here, who were wonderful ambassadors for Architects of Air. Mirazozo was a huge success, possibly the most attended presentation ever at Sydney Opera House and certainly one of the projects we feel proudest of from our Summer season.”
Jonathan Bielski
Head of Programming of Sydney Opera House, Australia – 2011
“Both Insite and AoA have been highly professional in every aspect of the negotiations through to packdown and Levity III certainly delivered in terms of our audience and the way in which it utterly transformed an unforgiving city space into a place of wonder.”
Jenny Simpson
CEO of AWESOME Arts, Perth, Australia – 2010
“Standing in line to go inside, I was struck by how many visitors took part in visiting the exhibition. Â It was one of the greatest examples of the arts reaching the everyday citizen I have ever seen.”
Emily L. Spruill
Director of Cultural Affairs of Virginia Beach, USA–2011
Planning, technical rider, operations and costs
Up to 2000 visitors in one day may visit the Luminarium, such large numbers requires good preparation. The Architects of Air documentation introduces the elements of a successful Luminarium exhibition, one where the visitor experience is the best it can be and where the presenter’s investment is fully rewarded.
The Luminaria are modular and can be configured according to different site requirements too typically occupy an area of 1000 m2. Setting up the Luminarium takes 1 to 2 days depending on the complexity of the installation. Once installed, the Luminaria are inflated only during the hours of opening to the public and are deflated overnight.
The cost to be accounted for are a daily artistic fee that will vary whether 6, 9 or 12 hours opening per day, the transport of the luminarium to and from the site, the travel / accommodation / perdiems for the 2, 3, or 4 Architects of Air Luminarium anagers.
The host presenters also provides the full technical rider to cover for crew, barriers, security, power and reception tent furniture. Depending on site surface, anticipated temperatures and opening times, there may be an additional requirement for anchorage, flooring, air-conditioning or heating and lighting.
The presenter provides a dedicated eam of 9 to 11 stewards to welcome the visitors .
The admission charge is set by and goes to the presenter, who is also responsible for the marketing and ticketing of the eventÂ
Architects of Air wants the presenter to get the most out of the potential of hosting a Luminarium.  To that end presenters may be supported to achieve their broader objectives  – objectives that may entail hosting performances, workshops and meetings or that may seek to use the educational potential of a Luminarium.
Architects of Air will be happy to share all relevant documentation and to guide the host presenter step by step for a successful exhibition.
Installation with flooring, ballast & lighting
Installation on grass
Discover the Luminarium
Contact us
Interested in hosting a Luminarium? Get in touch, and we’ll gladly work with you to create a truly unforgettable experience.
