Question

Answer

How much electricity does it use?

Optic Flow is energy efficient. It plugs into a regular 120v socket, and uses between 4 and 7 watts when active (in comparison, a single energy efficient light bulb might use 15-20 watts).

How big is Optic Flow?

The main lighting unit is x" x y" x z". The ten light canisters can drop a maximum of 5 feet from the topmost position.

The control box, which contains the circuitry, LCD panel and rotary switch, is x x y x z.

A ribbon cable connects the control box to the light unit. Optic Flow is shipped with a 10 foot cable, but this can be changed to match your environment.

The lighting unit weighs approximately XX lbs. The control panel weight about XX lbs.

How bright does it get?

Optic Flow has ten high-intensity LED lights, and the colors vary across a range of colors and brightness levels. Therefore, we don’t recommend it as the sole light fixture in a room. Think of Optic Flow as a mood light - the most incredible mood light you've ever seen.

Can I see a video of it in action?

What support is offered?

The software that controls Optic Flow is covered by a lifetime guarantee (for as long as you own it).

Periodic enhancements to the software may be available, in addition to custom refinements that you want. These are managed in arrangement with the artist.

The hardware is covered by a two year guarantee when Optic Flow is used under normal circumstances and not subject to misuse or poor environmental conditions. Beyond that, repairs can be performed by the artist or a qualified technician.

How can I find out more?

Please contact the artist. If you are in the Bay Area, he can meet you to discuss the work and offer a private demonstration. Alternatively, he can arrange a Skype video conference.

What if I want Optic Flow to be customized?

By arrangement with the artist, Optic Flow's physical or software characteristics can be modified. Contact the artist to discuss your ideas.

How do I hang it?

Optic Flow can hang from a ceiling (using “S” hooks) or by a wall (“L” plates and “S” hooks). Three mounting holes are provided.

A ribbon cable, about 1 3/4” wide and less than two millimeters thin, runs from the light sculpture to the separate control panel. The control panel can be wall mounted, recessed, or free standing.

The control panel receives power from a standard wall socket; no power source is needed at Optic Flow itself.

What environments is Optic Flow not suited for?

Optic Flow is designed to work indoors. The electronics components are not shielded from wet or salty air.

If you are going to install Optic Flow by a window, remember that it will be best viewed in the evening, when the sun won't drown out the lights.

The light canisters are very lightweight (each is about the weight of a pair of sunglasses). They can easily be blown about in a strong draft (this won't damage the canisters, but might cause them to wrap around each other). Optic Flow should not be placed by an open window or door where drafts may pass.

Control Panel. Using an intuitive rotary dial on the control panel, you can select from a variety of more than 12 scripts for Optic Flow to play. These can reflect your mood - from “romantic” for that intimate dinner, or “party” when you want to show off your place. Next to the switch, there is a bright LCD display that shows was Optic Flow is doing at this moment and which script is currently running. There is a master On/Off switch that turns off all lights and movement.

Settings. Using the rotary dial, you can set the wake and sleep time, the maximum drop of the pendants (up to five feet) and other settings.

Wake and Sleep. For “no hassle” operation, Optic Flow wakes up at a predefined time each day and continues running the script it was previously running. Optic Flow goes into sleep mode at a time specified.

Where is it made?

The components for Optic Flow are sourced from across the world - including the USA, Italy and China. Importantly, Optic Flow has been designed in San Francisco, and will only be assembled in California, USA.

Pendants Each of the ten pendants is a custom-designed housing for the BlinkM LED light. The LED is suspended near the top of the pendant, and shines down, illuminating the outer wall of the pendant. Each pendant is X inches wide and Y inches long. It consists of an inner shell cylinder, made of semi-transparent polypropylene, and an outer shell of extremely sheer Nylon mesh.

Control Panel Made out of durable ABS plastic in matt black.

Main Unit The main unit is covered by a custom enclosure. It is made of lightweight black plastic, about 5mm thick. If necessary, it can be removed. In many installations, the entire enclosure will be hidden by a soffit. The internals of the main unit consist of a plastic and wood framework, which supports the weight of each of the ten motor assemblies. Each motor assembly is custom-built from plastic. There is a custom winding spindle and various other electronic and electromechanical components. Each of the motor assemblies are wired together using a ribbon cable.