Light Assembly

Content is from the site's archived pages.

Light Assembly

Light Assembly is both a film festival like no other, and a mass-scale showcase of video art and architecture. In the last decade, visual artists such as Miranda July, Steve McQueen and Julian Schnabel have legitimized the crossover from visual art to filmmaking. Light Assembly is the first-ever film festival dedicated to assisting artists in that crossover between art and film. Light Assembly is also a pilot video art and architecture exposition program unique in the world. Conceived as a beta of Time Zones Chicago, planned for premier in late Summer of 2013, the goal of Light Assembly is to combine large-scale video art projection with the citywide canvas of Miami Beach and mainland Miami’s modern architectural marvels and historic landmarks.

The combination of architecture and video art proposed by Light Assembly will allow a hybrid art form to emerge, one that reinterprets and reimagines the public space of the cities where we live and work. Over the last decades, the equipment needed to make and project video has become increasingly affordable, and transformed how installation work is thought about and made. Yet, the parallel evolution of these distinct art forms has not yet realized its full potential; we believe it is finally time to explore the full possibilities of these art forms, and on a whole new scale.

WELCOME TO THE ART PAGES CONTEST PAGE! Content is from the site's 2012 archived pages.

Art Pages prefers paperless entries submitted online.

THE ART PAGES MOVIE POSTER CONTEST
Art Pages is sponsoring two contests during Verge: Light Assembly Miami. Our first is the Verge / LA movie poster contest. In order to participate, entries must incorporate the following: a) the Verge, Light Assembly and Art Pages logos; b) Event dates (Dec. 6-9, 2012); website URLs (www.vergeartfair.com and www.light-assembly.com). And that's it! Our ideal submissiions will integrate the visual art and cinematic aspects of the events, and reimagine the possibilities of cinema as a form of visual culture from a unique and distinct artistic perspective. Poster design entries are $15 if submitted by August 15.

Art Pages will produce 2,000 limited-edition posters of the winning design to be distributed throughout Miami in advance of and during the event, and featured on the inside cover in full color of the premier edition of Art Pages. Four runners-up will also be featured in full-page, four-color spreads in Art Pages.

THE ART PAGES SCREENPLAY / TELEPLAY CONTEST
Our second contest is the Art Pages Screenplay / Teleplay Contest. It has never been more clear the necessity of writers to the originality and inventiveness of the best work produced in film, television, and visual art. This rising necessity of writing has transformed the expectation of artists across the disciplines. We are looking for writing that not only breaks the mold of these forms, but that at its best treats language as a material no different from celluloid or paint. This is an opportunity to invent the future of these artistic disciplines with an heretofore unprecedented reach. We will feature one winner from both the screenplay and teleplay categories in full in the print edition of Art Pages. Two runners-up from each category will be featured on the Art Pages website, and their biographies and a capsule description of their writing printed in a prominent sidebar showcase. Screenplay and teleplay entries are $15 if submitted by August 15, 2012. Please submit your screenplay or teleplay as either a .DOC or .PDF file.

With all teleplay submissions, supplementary written materials may also be included but are not required. These could include up to five pages of concept, character analysis, and future episode mini-synopsis. Attach these to the end of the script in your file.

To submit your entry for any of these contests, create an account using the new user fields or login to our online submission system below.

INTERNSHIPS WITH LIGHT ASSEMBLY

Light Assembly is an initiative of Verge Art Fair. We are seeking interns with a background in video and installation art, film studies, or those familiar with video editing software and equipment. Interns will receive the opportunity to be fully immersed in the international emerging and contemporary art scene, while simultaneously learning important aspects of entrepreneurship in the art world’s commercial sector, curatorial protocol and business best practices. Duties may include a wide range of exposition production, including legal, marketing and PR, budgeting, client relationship management, critical event and curatorial services management, gallery research, with opportunities for production work, and much more.

Internship opportunities with Light Assembly provide great experience for college students and/or recent college graduates. This is a non-paid internship, college credit available depending on institution.

Interns must be able to work a minimum of 12-16 hours per week. The most qualified applicants will be able to attend internship responsibilities for a minimum 30-hour weekly schedule on a minimum 3-week project basis. Must be reliable, and have great people skills, be able to provide your own transportation and be comfortable in a casual work environment. Additional plusses: experience with Excel, a good phone manner, ability to work from your own laptop, work independently and aggressively problem-solve.

Current internship position availability for Fall 2012 (begins September 2012. Minimum engagement ends December 2012):

NOTE: I was able to snag one of these internships and let me tell you it was a great gig. There wasn't a dress code, so every day I chose to wear one of the numerous Batman t-shirts or work shirts that I collect.. It doesn't need to be stated but I am obviously a big Batman fan. Recently I discovered a great website that offered my favorite Batman T shirt on sale, plus dozens of other designs that I don't have. There are so many designs that I'll never run out. Of course it hits the old wallet a bit hard, except for that particular sale, but it's worth it. Everyone at Light Assembly started to call me "Bat", in a good way. I worked right through their inaugural festival in Miami and Beaches which ran fromDecember 6-9, 2012 during Art Basel. It was so cool, I decided that I would major in film. This internship was the best thing that has ever happened to me, aside from finding that ecommerce site that sells Batman T-shirts.

PRODUCTION INTERN
Duties may include a wide range of production tasks, from liaising with artists and filmmakers, property owners, government agencies, and others in the preparations for the premier of events associated with Light Assembly Miami.

Please send a copy of your resume to internships@vergeartfair.com for opportunities in our Chicago office, with "Verge Intern" in the subject line. Please include a no-longer than 300 word introductory letter explaining your interest in emerging and contemporary art, and briefly explain your reason for wanting to work for an art fair. No phone calls please.

More Background On Light Assembly

Light Assembly is a groundbreaking cultural initiative in Miami that blends large-scale video art, architecture, and filmmaking into a single, immersive experience. More than just a film festival, it is a citywide art installation, turning public spaces and architectural landmarks into massive projection surfaces. Its mission is clear: support visual artists transitioning into filmmaking, expand the definition of cinema, and transform the city itself into a living canvas.

This comprehensive profile will cover Light Assembly’s origins, ownership, locations, sponsorship, programming, awards, influence, and legacy — giving you a full picture of one of Miami’s most innovative creative events.

Founding Vision and Origins

Light Assembly was born from the belief that moving image art and architecture could be fused into a hybrid form with unprecedented cultural impact. It emerged from the Verge Art Fair, an established platform for contemporary and emerging artists known for pushing the boundaries of exhibition formats.

The festival launched during Art Basel Miami Beach week in December 2012 — a deliberate move to tap into a global audience of art collectors, curators, critics, and enthusiasts already gathered in the city. Its debut was positioned as the pilot version of a larger planned project called Time Zones Chicago, envisioned for future expansion.

The inspiration drew from the growing affordability of professional-grade video production and projection equipment, which opened the door for more artists to experiment with large-scale moving image installations in public spaces.

Ownership and Organizational Structure

Light Assembly is organized and curated by Verge Art Fair, with its team overseeing all aspects — from artist selection and content curation to sponsorship coordination and public engagement. Verge’s track record in non-traditional, artist-driven events made it a natural incubator for this cross-disciplinary festival.

Key logistical partnerships include:

Property owners willing to offer building facades and open spaces as projection surfaces.
Local government and municipal agencies providing necessary permits and access.
Private sponsors supporting financially and helping with audience engagement.

Location and Urban Canvas

The city of Miami is central to Light Assembly’s identity. Its combination of Art Deco heritage in Miami Beach and modernist downtown architecture creates a diverse visual palette for projection art.

The festival turns streets, parks, hotels, and municipal buildings into massive, glowing screens, with works displayed on:

Historic Art Deco hotels along Ocean Drive.
Glass and steel skyscrapers in the financial district.
Cultural landmarks and waterfront venues.

The timing during Art Basel ensures a built-in audience of art professionals and enthusiasts, while also welcoming the general public to experience art in their daily city environment.

Festival Format and Creative “Menu”

While there’s no food service menu at Light Assembly, the festival offers a different kind of menu — a series of interconnected creative opportunities:

Citywide Large-Scale Video Projections
The core of the event, integrating cinematic content into architectural surfaces on an urban scale.
Art Pages Magazine Contests
- Movie Poster Contest: Designers create posters that visually represent both the Verge Art Fair and Light Assembly. The winning design is printed on 2,000 limited-edition posters distributed across Miami and featured in Art Pages magazine.
- Screenplay/Teleplay Contest: Writers reimagine narrative media, with the winning works published in Art Pages and runners-up showcased online and in print.
Public Engagement Events
These include surprise benefit performances, raffles, and artist talks that involve both the local community and visiting art audiences.
Internship Programs
Designed for college students or recent graduates in art, media, and film, these positions give participants real-world experience in curatorial planning, production coordination, and marketing.

Awards and Artist Recognition

Unlike festivals that hand out physical trophies, Light Assembly focuses on amplifying winners’ visibility:

Winning poster designs are widely distributed and permanently documented in print.
Winning screenplays and teleplays are fully published in a respected art publication.
Selected works are projected publicly, offering artists an enormous, direct audience.

This model is outcome-oriented, ensuring recognition is tangible and widely experienced.

Audience and Cultural Significance

Light Assembly draws:

Art Basel international visitors seeking cutting-edge visual work.
Local Miami residents curious about participating in a world-class arts event.
Architecture and design enthusiasts fascinated by projection-mapped transformations of iconic buildings.
Filmmakers and media artists eager to explore collaborative and experimental approaches.

Socially, Light Assembly democratizes access to the arts by removing the gallery door — allowing anyone passing through the city to encounter high-quality contemporary work for free. It shifts art from an exclusive setting to the communal everyday environment.

Press and Media Response

Critics and journalists have praised Light Assembly’s:

Use of architecture as both medium and message.
Timing and positioning during Art Basel to showcase Miami’s creative economy.
Commitment to artists experimenting with technology-driven storytelling.

Publications noted it as both a unique art event and a model for rethinking urban engagement through the arts.

Historical Role and Legacy

The 2012 pilot was considered a strong proof-of-concept for using entire cities as exhibition spaces. While conceived as a lead-up to Time Zones Chicago, Light Assembly’s independent identity has continued to resonate as an example for other cultural event planners worldwide.

Its legacy is evident in the rise of projection mapping festivals, public art biennials, and cross-disciplinary urban art initiatives across the globe. The event demonstrated how blending architecture, cinema, and visual art can create a powerful, highly shareable cultural moment.

Key Takeaways and Insights

Light Assembly redefines what a film festival can be by bringing cinema into public urban environments.
Ownership by Verge Art Fair ensures a strong curatorial foundation and connections to the international art world.
Strategic location and timing maximize global exposure and local impact.
Unconventional sponsorship expands creative possibilities while supporting sustainability.
Engagement through citywide installations, competitions, and internships builds a multifaceted, participatory experience.

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Light Assembly stands as a pioneering experiment in cultural presentation, transforming Miami into a vast projection surface and uniting global visitors and locals in a shared art experience. It bridges the worlds of cinema, architecture, and visual arts, while fostering new talent and inviting public participation on a grand scale.

Light-Assembly.com