City Bulb - Energy Painting

Nataliya A. Goncharuk Original work: mixed media, acrylic on canvas, glowing in the dark, 40x40 cm. The idea to create this painting appeared based on the decision to participate in the E.ON Energy Globe project in the Czech Republic in 2016. The contribution name was "Energy-saving technologies in contemporary art" aimed to popularize energy efficient technologies in art. The work was painted with acrylic paints in which colored phosphorescent pigments were mixed. The added pigments absorb light and give the surface a high degree of phosphorescence. In other words, phosphorescent fragments of the painting are "charged" by the action of the light source and then they are able to emit light for some time. The duration of the phosphorescent radiation is about 2 hours. In order to increase the lifetime of the luminous effect, silicon solar cells were mounted on the frame of the painting in order to transform the solar energy into an electric current and then to charge the Ni-MH batteries connected to the LEDs. In the dark, the LEDs mounted on the opposite side of the painting, switch on automatically. LED light is reflected from the aluminum foil, which is also situated behind the painting, and falls on phosphorescent substances that start to radiate light in the dark.