Lost & Found Art Installation on Federal Street
Image credit: WE-EF
OVERVIEW
As part of the transformation of Auckland’s Federal Street into a vibrant, people-focused shared space, Auckland Council commissioned Wellington-based artist Joe Sheehan to create a permanent public artwork. The result is ‘Lost & Found’ — a series of eight intricately carved boulders sourced from all over New Zealand. The ambition for Lost & Found was to create richly detailed and illuminated moments, encouraging a sense of social warmth and welcome.
The lighting brief called for a solution that would support the artwork’s impact after dark, highlighting its carved forms while respecting the integrity of the materials and the space.
CLIENT
Auckland Council
ARTIST
Joe Sheehan
TEAM
Leading Design Professionals (LDP)
Otahuhu Engineering
Mark Herring Lighting (MHL)
PRODUCT
WE-EF FLC230 LED GOBO Projector
Image credit: WE-EF
Image credit: Bryan Lowe (Auckland Council)
Image credit: Bryan Lowe (Auckland Council)
LIGHTING SOLUTION
When designing Lost & Found, Artist Joe Sheehan envisioned the lighting concept to illuminate the carved objects within each stone, leaving the rest in relative darkness to create a sense of discovery. Working closely with the artist, lighting designer LDP and fabrication partner Ōtāhuhu Engineering, MHL supplied the lighting products and technical support needed to bring the concept to life.
To achieve the desired outcomes, WE-EF FLC GOBO luminaires were used to illuminate the smoothed stone surface and carved object, while leaving the rest of the boulder in relative darkness.
This project was uniquely challenging due to the FLC GOBO luminaires being installed inside custom made, internally illuminated decorative enclosures, requiring an innovative, project-specific methodology to access the GOBO holder andlens system. Thanks to the expertise and commitment of the MHL and Otahuhu Engineering teams – and multiple night-time visits – the challenges were overcome and the result now more than meets expectations.
Image credit: Bryan Lowe (Auckland Council)
The WE-EF FLC230 GOBO Projector
PRODUCT
WE-EF FLC230 LED GOBO Projector
Chosen for its ability to deliver crisp, high-contrast light projections with excellent optical control. The FLC230 is engineered for durability in outdoor environments and offers precise beam shaping with interchangeable standard or custom GOBO patterns.
Learn more about the product: WE-EF FLC230 LED GOBO Projector
RESULTS
The Lost & Found art installation, including the lighting solution, has helped transform Federal Street into a welcoming, art-focused space by day and an immersive experience by night.
Waitematā Local Board Chair Genevieve Sage is delighted to see the installation, which is already enchanting Aucklanders, completed in such a unique way.
“We’ve already had a glimpse of how engaging these works are, now we will literally see lighting shining on them, to draw people further in,” she says.
Deb Ward, of Auckland City Mission - Te Tāpui Atawhai, says the artwork is a welcome addition to the neighbourhood.
“There’s been a buzz about the boulders with street whānau, staff, volunteers and those passing by, all stopping to take a look, tug at the shoes to see if they’re real or run their hands over the jacket carved from stone. It’s as though the sculptures themselves have become part of the community,” she says.
Image credit: WE-EF
Image credit: WE-EF