Weymouth Light Veils, Laser Lights

I am told that there are calls to save energy by turning off Weymouth's Light Veils laser lights.

Here is some background to the project and the consumption of energy.

"The laser units have very low energy requirement being only eight watt each with the column lighting also being efficient".

Light Veils (from Dorset For You):

"Launched in May 2012, this artist led scheme involved seven, 16 metre high columns with lighting projected from Weymouth promenade over the beach and into the sea.

Parsons Brinckerhoff(opens in a new window) designed, supplied, installed and commissioned the laser lighting, columns and associated equipment. The design was artist led by Vong Phaophanit and Claire Oboussier.

Each column is a different colour and each include a different vertical coloured light within the structure of the column. Each column projects a green laser light.

The laser units have very low energy requirement being only eight watt each with the column lighting also being efficient. Health and marine safety were carefully considered as part of the scheme's design and installation.

The new lighting system (pdf, 4Mb)(opens in a new window)  intended to be a subtle, phased and calming. They are programmed to change over time moving vertically and horizontally, in circular motions with split beams.

The lights start half an hour after sunset and go on and off every six minutes through the evening and each time there is different pattern of lights. They will stay on until midnight in winter and 1am in summer.

This unique artistic installation is different everytime you see it. Take time to view the lighting system from different points along the seafront and also in different weather and lighting conditions.

A FAQ (pdf, 169kb)(opens in a new window) has been put together to answer question about the lighting scheme.

Light Veils pictures on this page have been provided by John Snelling of Studioelite and Gino Malorca of CMT".