Project 7 - Fibre optic fireflies at theme park "mangrove swamp"
July 2008 saw the opening of a new exhibit at Torquay's Living Coasts zoo and conservation charity. Mangroves: The Roots of the Sea opened on 16th July, coinciding with the attraction’s fifth birthday. It is Britain’s first major exhibit based on a mangrove habitat.
Living Coasts Director Elaine Hayes explained: “When you leave the upper area you descend into a mangrove forest. The ramp takes you from the top of the canopy, featuring firefly, bat and proboscis monkey models and sound and lighting effects, down into an underworld of roots and foliage. You are immersed in the mangroves, exploring the swamp and discovering exotic species as you go.”
Starscape was approached by dha design services ltd. on behalf of the zoo to devise a fibre optic solution for the fireflies hovering among the mangrove canopy. A custom harness of individual optical fibres in a black sheathing was created, with just the very end of the fibre exposed to create a floating point of light in the dark canopy. A custom twinkle wheel was fitted to the light source, with a specially made green filter to produce an authentic firefly glow.
The installation is simple, but effective.
 |
| The glowing lights are sheathed optical fibres. The black sheathing is very hard to see in the dark canopy so the end points appear to float among the leaves. A single halogen light source, fitted with a custom green colour wheel, provides the illumination for dozens of fireflies. |
Back to Projects