A ‘highly creative design concept’ by Sydney signage & engineering company, Marc Martello's Comcut Group and artist Callum Morton has won the Bounce LED Power to Illuminate competition, ahead of nine other finalists (photos). First prize is a free trip to Las Vegas to attend the 2023 ISA Expo. The judging panel included former ASGA president Michael Blazek.
Project: ‘City Lights’ by Comcut and Callum Morton
City Lights is an industrial artwork made from 44 individual pieces, installed at Foy Lane as part of the opening of the new Ace Hotel in Surry Hills, an inner-city suburb of Sydney. ASGA member Comcut Group and Australian artist Callum Morton were commissioned by Golden Age to manufacture and install the artworks.
“The cluster of ‘empty signs’ conveys the passing of time and random complexity of urban life,” said the competition organisers, Sydney-based LED illumination supplier Bounce LED. “The pieces were made of black powder-coated steel and used various LED modules and flex neon lines to illuminate in a sequence that moves from front to back then back to front.
“The design brief was to have the LED modules and Neonflex visually exposed to emulate various outputs of lighting within the individually fabricated pieces. The artworks are cantilevered from the building, positioned to be highly visible from multiple vantage points.
“Our judges felt this project was a highly creative design concept that demonstrated innovation, along with a professional application of illumination.
“Comcut group have won a once-in-a-lifetime getaway to the neon capital of the world, including flights to Las Vegas, accommodation in a luxury hotel, and daily passes to attend the 2023 ISA Expo.”
OTHER FINALISTS
Project: Brighter Super by SS Signs
Brisbane, QLD
The Brighter Super project consists of metal fabricated and illuminated flex face signs, installed on both sides of a high rise in Brisbane's CBD. “For this project, SS Signs used our Prism Plus in 6500K and PWM20-24 Dimmable Transformers,” said Bounce LED.
Project: Geyer by Apex
Sydney, NSW
“Apex were engaged by Architects Geyer to manufacture and install a 3m high suspended lighting fixture for their client Boardroom. The installation took around 20 hours onsite to install for 3 installers. Apex used our Novaneon Pivot Neonflex and clear mounting clips for the project, as well as Dali dimmable drivers to sync in with the existing services."
Project: Kiwanda Cafe by Signwayz
Brisbane, QLD
Signwayz created a custom CNC cut out design, backed with opal acrylic and a gold trans SAV for Kiwanda Cafe. "The fabricated powder coated aluminium support frame is cladded in 3mm aluminium panels which were 2pac painted Matte black, and then illuminated using our Blade Modules and Cobra LED Strip inside the hand fabricated acrylic lettering to create a Halo effect," said Bounce.
Project: ONE Melbourne Quarter by CityWide Signs
Melbourne, VIC
“The ONE Melbourne quarter project included multiple branded signs in various locations on site. The main building sign consisted of a brass face and was internally illuminated using our Cobra Strip and was then mounted directly onto glass.
Project: Morris Moor by Consolidated Signs
Moorrabbin, VIC
“The Morris Moor project consisted of a single elevation of individually fabricated letters installed by a crane and EWP at approximately 6 metres above ground level. They used a single line of our Novaneon RGB module, installed to the centreline of the letter stroke. This fabrication technique makes the letter face almost completely disappear at night, leaving only the Neon Flex visible.
Project: ICBC by Kingman
Sydney, NSW
“Comprising of individually fabricated aluminium pan letters with aluminium mesh faces and sitting approx. 130m above ground level, the ICBC sign was lifted into place using the St Martins Tower cranes and installed by an abseil team. The client wanted the sign to be black & red during the day, and white & red illumination during the night. This was achieved by using mesh faces and Edge Lit modules, with custom manufactured red Blade Plus Modules from us.
QBE by Cunneen
Parramatta, NSW
“The QBE Parramatta Sky Sign was particularly challenging as the client wished for their logo to display their corporate colours, black & blue, during the day, but to display full RGBW illumination at night. This was achieved by using perforated aluminium faces and over 4600 Bounce LED Spectrum RGBW Modules, 30 Meanwell HLG Transformers, 30 L-Tech F4-5A Wi-Fi Receivers and a Wi-Fi 108 Gateway. Overall, this sign has 20 programmable zones.
Project: Santos by Image Sign Group
Adelaide, SA
“The Santos project was challenging due to the size and location of installation. The Blue illuminated section of this sign is made up of 48 individual light boxes, consisting of opal polycarbonate faces with blue translucent vinyl applied, backlit by our 12V Optic Plus (discontinued).
Preston Mosque by Zimmerman
Preston, VIC
“This project used a combination of RGBW Matrix Panels, along with over 1500 Bounce LED Spectrum RGBW Modules. The RGBW was controlled and programmed via a DMX System giving the client full control of this 2-stage project. The large disc was made up of oversized 10mm Acrylic panels, which were lifted into place by hand and installed overhead on scissor lifts. This project was awarded several honours at the ASGA 2022 National Sign and Graphic Awards.”
The two-man judging panel included:
Paul Richards
43 years continual experience in the sign industry. Started apprenticeship in 1979 for Telecom Australia (Signwriting & Publicity sections) with a secondment to Greater Union Sydney doing theatre front event signage. Manager of PR Signs, specialising in boat signage on Lake Macquarie NSW.
Head Teacher of Signs & Graphics at TAFE NSW Ultimo College Sydney. Educational Qualifications: Bachelor of Education in Adult Education and Master of Education.
Michael Blazek
Michael Blazek is a 40-year veteran in the sign industry. Michael founded Neon Signs Australia, a pioneer in hand-bending neon tubes for sign illumination, in 1990 with business partner Duncan Read.
Blazek served six years as president of the Australian Sign and Graphic Association and judged several ASGA Sign Awards categories.
