Hello everyone
I'm working on an art installation that will feature haze or smoke to make the light emitted from data projectors visible in the space, and I'm concerned about problems that might arise from the prolonged use.
It will run daily for about 8 hours for a period of 4 months in a small room with a low ceiling, and the effect will be subtle, so I think haze would be more appropriate.
I have done similar work before for events that last a single night and the results are really great, but have never had to plan for a long term one.
My first concern is about the maintenance of the machine itself because they require periodic cleaning, but I'm not sure how often depending if its a water or oil based hazer or a smoke machine. It seems water based effects require less frequent work, is that right?
Another issue is about the buildup of residues, especially inside the projectors, which will be sucking in air to keep cool.
I could possibly build a structure around them to isolate them from the smoke or haze, leaving openings with filters to keep the particles out, but the filters might need to be cleaned or replaced. That would include a glass cover for the lens, which would have to be cleaned frequently.
I guess the floor will also need frequent cleaning.
Again, it seems water based effects leave less residues.
This room also work as the entrance to an exhibition that people will need to walk across to enter it, so the room will have door sized openings for entry into the gallery space and exit to the large main foyer of the museum.
I'm worried about the smoke or haze going into the gallery and leaving residues on the artwork, although it seems that there won't be any artwork within 5 to 10 meters from entrance, and the ceiling is much higher inside.
There will be no artwork inside the room that will have the smoke or haze.
My last concern is about noise, as I've worked with haze machines that are all a bit loud to be placed in a small room.
Are there smaller and less noisy haze machines available?
I am also working with the museum to find out more about their smoke detectors to figure out what would trigger them.
I'm pretty sure there are other problems that might arise from using these effects for such periods of time that I'm not taking into account, so any other comments would be very welcome.
Daniel