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Blue Lights Out: 10 Closed & Abandoned Kmart Stores

29 Nov

[ By Steve in Abandoned Places & Architecture. ]

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Attention Kmart shoppers… would the last one out the door please turn off the blue lights? These 10 abandoned Kmart stores have rung up their last receipt.

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The first Kmart opened on March 1st, 1962, in Garden City, Michigan – one of 18 Kmart stores to open that year. It wasn’t long before “Attention Kmart shoppers!” and the Blue Light Special entered the realm of pop culture. All good things must come to an end, however, though the end for Kmart has been especially long and messy.

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Down to 979 stores (as of January 2015) in 49 states and territories, Kmart’s decline has left hundreds of abandoned buildings in its wake including the one above, abandoned since 2008 in Defiance, Ohio. Kudos to Flickr user Nicholas Eckhart for snapping and posting the images above.

Z-Mart

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Sign of the End Times? The Walking Dead of retail? This disturbing “Kmart from Hell” sign stands (as of January 31st, 2013) in front of the abandoned former Kmart Super Center at Winchester and Riverdale in Memphis, TN. Built in 1995, the store only lasted ten years before management threw in the towel. Flickr user l_dawg2000‘s photo highlights “some sort of lo-jac device (bottom left on the sign) to discourage stealing it!”

Close the Palm Bay Doors

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Call it a combo of dedication and obsession: Flickr user Albertsons Florida Blog photo-documented the decline and fall of Kmart #3710 in Palm Bay, Florida (opened 1979), in 217 photos (and two videos) dating from January 28th of 2014 through September 9th, 2015.

Because of Winn-Dixie?

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Too big to fail? Nope! Flickr user Ryan (RetailByRyan95) brings us this abandoned Big Kmart (complete with enticing K Cafe) department store at 5432 Glenside Drive in Richmond, VA. The store opened as a regular Kmart in 1977; in 1998 it expanded into the space formerly occupied by a neighboring Winn-Dixie supermarket that had closed the previous year.

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Black signs don’t matter. Newly incarnated as a “Big Kmart”, the store soldiered on until August 2012 when the doors slammed shut for the final time and the sign was blacked out.

Next Page – Click Below to Read More:
Blue Lights Out 10 Closed Abandoned Kmart Stores

[ By Steve in Abandoned Places & Architecture. ]

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Blooming Street Lights: Giant Flowers Interact with the City

03 Nov

[ By Steph in Art & Street Art & Graffiti. ]

flower lights 1

Step beneath these massive red flowers in Jerusalem’s Vallero Square and they’ll bloom before your eyes, offering light after dark and shelter from the rain. The interactive installation by HQ Architects reacts to pedestrians and traffic, their crimson textile petals filling with air when motion is sensed nearby.

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Standing 30 feet tall in two pairs on opposite ends of the square, the flowers can be seen from afar, providing an eye-catching visual for visitors to a busy nearby market. In addition to functioning as public art and street lights, the flowers provide cover to commuters getting on and off the tram.

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When the square is full of action, the flowers billow, creating a sense of movement. They go still when all is quiet late at night, their petals closing. An air compressor is built into the top of each one. Named the ‘Warde Project,’ the installation is part of an effort to revitalize a square that felt a little shabby. [Photos by Dor Kedmi]

[ By Steph in Art & Street Art & Graffiti. ]

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Lights, camera, action: Manfrotto Digital Director quick review

29 Oct

Manfrotto’s Digital Director, introduced in April, is a departure from its usual array of tripods and tripod heads. It’s a device designed to hold an iPad Air tethered to a DSLR, providing a large live view screen, access to camera controls and wireless sharing options. Shooting with a large screen can be a revelation compared to using a 3″ LCD, but the Digital Director is pretty pricey. Is it worth the cost? Read more

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Lights Out: Hong Kong Bans Iconic Neon Signs from City Streets

30 Aug

[ By WebUrbanist in Art & Sculpture & Craft. ]

kowloon hong kong lights

In an effort criticized by local businesses as well as global visitors, Hong Kong has deemed neon signage illegal and is ramping up its systematic removal of these historic place-making lights.

hong kong neon

To fans of the city’s vibrant nighttime glow, such signs define the bustling metropolis as much as any work of architecture or public art, featured prominently in many images taken and movies set on or around Hong Kong Island and Kowloon.

hong kong signage

In the last decade, thousands of signs have been removed through incremental city initiatives while preservationists scramble to save, store and display them. Populated with curators and directors from around the world, including the Tate in London and MoMA in New York City, the new M+ Museum is becoming the de facto guardian of many of these castoffs, collecting physical signs as well as videos, images, maps and other documentation.

sammys kitchen sign

More about the digital arm of their endeavor: “Presented by M+, Hong Kong’s museum for visual culture, “Mobile M+: NEONSIGNS.HK” is an online exhibition that celebrates a key feature of the city’s streetscapes by exploring, mapping and documenting its neon signs. Alongside curatorially-produced essays, videos, slideshows and artist commissions, over 4,000 photos were submitted by the public from 21 March to 30 June 2014 to collectively create a unique neon map of Hong Kong. The site will remain as a lasting record and examination of Hong Kong’s fast disappearing neon signs.”

signmaking project

The classic art of neon sign-making involves electrified gas-filled glass pipes, originating in Europe but dating back nearly a century in China. Today, factory-made LEDs are becoming the industry standard. Around the world, the old methods are fading, but many artisanal practitioners continue to fight to restore old signs and keep such practices alive (images by Keith Macgregor, Romain Jacquet-Lagrèze and Mark Pegrum via TheCreatorsProject).

[ By WebUrbanist in Art & Sculpture & Craft. ]

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Rainbow Rail: 5,000 Neon Lights to Line Underside of Chicago “L”

31 Jul

[ By WebUrbanist in Art & Installation & Sound. ]

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Designed to be suspended below Chicago’s elevated rail system, hovering above cars and pedestrians, this 5,000-tube neon lighting installation aims to bring bright colors to drab railway tracks, using illumination to bridge the dark gap formed by overhead infrastructure.

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A set of elevated rails forming a rounded rectangle in the heart of the city, the Chicago Loop defines the downtown experience. Physically, visually and audibly, this nexus of sometimes-subway lines creates a circuit of transit over and under which vast numbers of people travel each and every day. Despite its centrality and functionality, the Loop has little presence in terms of the city’s public image, at least it until The Wabash Lights came along.

wabash lights neon art

The main aim is to activate this shady pseudo-circular zone, turning it from an ignored void into a enjoyed space. The first phase of the project has already been successfully funded on Kickstarter and the next step will be a limited-scale test implementation of the technology. The lights are highly programmable and infinitely customizable, able to cycle through sets of colors and form complex patterns.

skys the limit art

It is hard to avoid drawing a comparison with another highly-visible and quite popular neon project in Chicago, namely: the neon light tunnel (Sky’s the Limit by Michael Hayden) connecting Concourses B and C at Terminal 1 in the O’Hare International Aiport, “a mile-long kinetic light sculpture composed of 466 neon tubes [reflected from above by] 23,600 square feet of mirror.”

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The duo behind the idea, Seth Unger and Jack C. Newell, are well-suited to the endeavor, with backgrounds in design, branding and creative strategy on the one hand, filmmaking and public art on the other. Together, they are looking to involve citizens from start to finish, looking to them for feedback as well as funding.

wabash lights technology

More on the project from its creators, using “LED light tubes to transform an iconic piece of Chicago infrastructure into a canvas for a dynamic, interactive experience, serving as a catalyst for a re-energized Wabash Avenue. Working with the Chicago Transit Authority, Chicago Department of Transportation, and City Government, we have received approval to install a small section of lights on the Wabash Ave tracks to troubleshoot design, interactivity, and test how vibration from the “L”, temperature changes, and the wear and tear of the city affect our hardware.” (Hat tip to Chris B and James B).

[ By WebUrbanist in Art & Installation & Sound. ]

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Week in review: Lights in the sky

26 Jun

Mother Nature put on a show for us this week when the Northern Lights dipped down into our part of the country. But around here it’s been fireworks for the past couple of weeks, with plenty of new product introductions and exciting review samples rolling in the door. Let’s reflect, shall we? Read more

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Natural Luxury: Iceland’s Eco-Friendly Northern Lights Hotel

15 May

[ By Delana in Boutique & Art Hotels & Travel. ]

ion hotel iceland

Iceland has become quite the tourist destination for world travelers thanks to its ethereal landscapes, amazing history, unique culture, and unspoilt views of the Northern Lights. It’s the Northern Lights that draw eco-conscious travelers to the breathtaking Ion Hotel by Minarc Architects. iceland ion hotel

minarc ion hotel

earth friendly luxury ion hotel iceland

The hotel was designed to provide visitors with an unobstructed view of the otherworldy surroundings while itself blending into the landscape. Emerging from the mossy mountain like a natural rock outcropping, the Ion Hotel could almost be mistaken for a body of hardened lava extending out into the mountainous area.

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northern lights hotel iceland

glass walled outlook ion hotel iceland

An abundance of floor to ceiling windows were designed to let in natural light while allowing an optimized view of the hotel’s settings. A glassed-in lounge at the building’s terminus lets visitors gaze out on the utterly exquisite Northern Lights after the sun goes down.

eco-friendly ion hotel iceland

locally inspired rooms ion hotel

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But the Ion isn’t all about looks; it is also a decidedly Earth-friendly place to spend a vacation. The luxury hotel uses locally-sourced materials included repurposed natural materials like lava and driftwood. The huge windows cut down on the building’s electricity consumption by reducing the need for artificial lighting.

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Local customs and culture inspired the interior design of the hotel; nods to the country’s history and notable features can be seen in every area of the building. When locally-sourced materials are not available, Fair Trade products are used instead. And as a truly exceptional feature, the hotel utilizes the abundant surrounding natural hot springs as a source of clean geothermal heating and hot water.

[ By Delana in Boutique & Art Hotels & Travel. ]

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Secret Skies: See Starry Nights Normally Hidden by City Lights

03 May

[ By WebUrbanist in Art & Photography & Video. ]

sky glow

With the rise of urbanization, an estimated 80% of the world population has never seen the Milky Way – and while rural dwellers see thousands of stars on a typical night, those in cities typically see a few dozen at best.

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As part of their Skyglow project, astrophotographers Harun Mehmedinovic and Gavin Heffernan taking pictures from around the country in darkened areas where the night sky is visible, in some cases turning them into true-to-life composites showing what the skies above cities would look like with the lights turned off. In other instances, their timelapses show the rotation of Earth against the sky.

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night sky timelapse

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Urban light pollution is not just a problem of lost views – it has been known to interfere with bird migrations and other animal behavior, not to mention sleep disorders and disease correlations in humans. Cities like Phoenix, Arizona, are trying to take back the night sky, dimming non-essential artificial lights to cut energy consumption.

You can support the project on Kickstarter for rewards as well: “SKYGLOW will also explore the evolution of our relationship with astronomy over time, including the impact of stars on imagination, mythology, and the sciences. By visiting incredible archaeoastronomy locations like Canyons of the Ancients, Chaco Canyon and Mesa Verde, SKYGLOW will explore the relationship between ancient civilizations and the galaxies they worshiped. Can we learn from them? “

[ By WebUrbanist in Art & Photography & Video. ]

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Manfrotto launches miniature Lumie LED lights

27 Mar

Accessories manufacturer Manfrotto has announced a new series of consumer LED lights that offer portable continuous output for stills and video photographers. The Lumie Art, Play and Muse lights are powered by a USB rechargeable Lithium-ion battery that is said to deliver over an hour’s worth of continuous lighting. While the Art and Play models come with a hotshoe adapter and a tripod mount, the Muse additionally has a ball and socket head that makes angling the light easy. Read more

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Flooded Sky: ‘Northern Lights’ Effect Fills Air with Blue Waves

11 Mar

[ By WebUrbanist in Art & Installation & Sound. ]

StudioRoosegaarde_Waterlicht_HR2

Floating above an 18,000-square-foot area of Dutch land that would be underwater were it not for defensive measures, the ethereal effect hovers between simulated aerial floodwater and imitation aurora borealis.

waterlicht surreal sky led

A temporary work in Westervoort, this latest pieced dubbed ‘Waterlicht’ by Daan Roosegaarde was created using LED projectors located on surrounding dykes, highlighting the essential role of flood prevention technology in keeping so much of the Netherlands dry. As the beams cross in the air, moved slowly up and down by motors, the effect seen in these images is created.

waterlicht northern lights effect

Visitors walking along those adjacent barriers perceive the illumination like an eerily lit surface of water below – those passing below the plane of light see something akin to the Northern Lights, normally a natural atmospheric effect reserved for rare and special conditions. “we create a virtual flood. Walking on the dike the light lines are perceived as high water, once in the flood channel you find yourself in an underwater world.”

waterlicht projected at night

The work was commissioned by the Dutch water board to keep up awareness about this vital element of the country’s infrastructure. “In Waterlicht people experience what the Netherlands would look like without its dykes. Awareness is crucial, because the Dutch (water)artworks need every day maintenance and our national water awareness is the foundation of that maintenance.”

waterlicht against the sky

No stranger to working with nighttime illumination, Roosegaarde is famous for other works including a night-lit bicycle path in the style of Van Gogh as well as schemes for glow-in-the-dark highway infrastructure.

360Photography

Posts Tagged ‘Lights’

Blue Lights Out: 10 Closed & Abandoned Kmart Stores

Z-Mart

Close the Palm Bay Doors

Because of Winn-Dixie?

Next Page – Click Below to Read More:
Blue Lights Out 10 Closed Abandoned Kmart Stores

Blooming Street Lights: Giant Flowers Interact with the City

Lights, camera, action: Manfrotto Digital Director quick review

Lights Out: Hong Kong Bans Iconic Neon Signs from City Streets

Rainbow Rail: 5,000 Neon Lights to Line Underside of Chicago “L”

Week in review: Lights in the sky

Natural Luxury: Iceland’s Eco-Friendly Northern Lights Hotel

Secret Skies: See Starry Nights Normally Hidden by City Lights

Manfrotto launches miniature Lumie LED lights

Flooded Sky: ‘Northern Lights’ Effect Fills Air with Blue Waves

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Posts Tagged ‘Lights’

Z-Mart

Close the Palm Bay Doors

Because of Winn-Dixie?

Next Page – Click Below to Read More: Blue Lights Out 10 Closed Abandoned Kmart Stores

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The Bucks Stop Here: 9 Closed & Abandoned Dollar Stores

Empty Chambers: 10 Closed & Abandoned Gun Stores & Shops

Scratched Out: Nine Nifty Closed & Abandoned Nail Salons

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Giant Paper Flowers Bloom Inside Abbey Church in France

Street Art Lives: 13 Installations that Interact with Nature

Bone Flowers: Sculptures Made of Rodent Skeletons

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Dense City: Photos Show Tightly-Packed Hong Kong Towers

Amphitheater of the Dead: Hong Kong Hillside Cemeteries

Groundless City: A Guidebook to Underground Hong Kong

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High Line West: Chicago & LA on Track for Elevated Greenways

Trained Eye: Rail Art Plays Visual Tricks with Tracks & Ties

Time-Traveling Trams: 30,000 LED Lights Vanish Street Trains

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Flooded Sky: Faux ‘Northern Lights’ Effect Floats Waves in Air

Submarine Suite: Private Luxury in Submersible Yacht Hotel

Drenched by Design: Waterfall Hotel is Strangely Cool

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Perfect Pitch: Impossibly Starry City Skies in Blackest Night

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Sucking Smog: Electronic Vacuum Cleaner Clears City Skies

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Infrastructural Art: Colorful LEDs Lights Up Shipyard Cranes

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Next Page – Click Below to Read More:
Blue Lights Out 10 Closed Abandoned Kmart Stores