Your humble editor is attending the IES Annual Conference in New Orleans. Last night the Society presented the 49th Annual IES Illumination Awards hosted by Chair Jana Owens and Megan Carroll.
We are working with the IES and will have the details and images of the awards later today, but one award resonated deeply with the audience.
The final judges, Andrea Hartranft, Giulio Pedota, Paul Traynor, and Rosemarie Allaire, presented an Illumination Award for Outdoor Lighting Design, Special Citation for Transforming a Park, to the Park of Culture and Rest Named by M.O. Hurov. The key is that the park is in Mariupol, Ukraine.
The designer, Mykola Kabluka of Expolight, sent his acceptance speech via video. He thanked the jury for the award and the significant victory, “at a time when Russia started unjust war in Ukraine.” He discussed the job and the 16-foot, 31-lb glass used in the design.
Mr. Kabluka concluded by calling the war unequal and unfair, stating, “Light always defeats darkness.”
He received a standing ovation.
View all of the awards here.