Blinkenlights Arcade, Paris

In October 2002, a new variant of Blinkenlights called Arcade was installed in the Tour de Lois of the Bibliothèque nationale de France (French State Library) for the Nuit blanche in Paris. This variant could display up to eight greyscales. In addition to Pong, known from Blinkenlights, it was possible to play the computer game classics Pac-Man, Breakout and Tetris with a mobile phone.

Team Member • Project Blinkenlights

Illuminating Parisian nights

With 520 recorded windows (20 floors with 26 windows each) and a total illuminated area of 3,370 m², Arcade was one of the largest interactive light installations of all time.

Project Blinkenlights Arcade Documentation Video

Media Coverage / Nuit Blanche

Many different media outlets around the world covered the new installation, resulting in a record number of animation submissions. The Mini car brand streamed a live video of the house on the internet from dusk via a container on the other side of the Seine.

TV report of arte tv

TV report of BBC World

On the last night of the installation, a party was held around the container in time for the Nuit Blanche. VJs streamed their sets live via a directional antenna, making Arcade the largest illumination of a dance floor ever made.

Arcade was awarded the audience prize at the 1st Nuit Blanche in Paris.

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