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| Released: 24 Oct 2008 [12.00am] | 
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One of the City’s best-known meeting points will transform into a light and colour extravaganza tonight.
The Rundle Lantern, attached to the Adelaide City Council’s Rundle Street UPark at the Rundle and Pulteney Street intersection, will be switched on by Lord Mayor Michael Harbison for the first time at a special launch.
The Rundle Lantern is nine levels high at 1066 square metres (covering almost 40 per cent of the building), and is made up of 748 square panels which are activated by an LED (light emitting diode) system.
The Lord Mayor said the launch will be a great opportunity for people to join in the celebration of the Rundle Lantern lighting up for the first time.
“The Rundle Lantern really is the City’s new cultural canvas – it will be a spectacular and bold addition to the City and will invigorate this site from tonight and everyone is invited,” said the Lord Mayor.
“The Lantern will be driven by computer software at night that will showcase colourful and dynamic moving imagery, and dress up the site with its unique design during the day.
“Future prospects for the Rundle Lantern are exciting – it will be a great drawcard for special occasions like New Year’s Eve and other key cultural events, attracting even more visitors and locals to watch it light up every night from dusk.
“We’re in for a very exciting opening show tonight, and I urge people to come along and join in the fun and excitement of the celebration and see something very unique.”
The launch will begin at 7.30pm and include music and entertainment. The intersection of Rundle and Pulteney Streets will be closed from 6.15pm to 10pm, though the Rundle Street UPark and Wilson Car Park on Rundle Street will remain open.
The Rundle Lantern is 100 per cent green powered and the light show is carbon neutral. The Lantern’s LEDs use 90 per cent less energy than conventional incandescent bulbs and the lifespan of an LED lamp is 100 times that of a conventional bulb. The panels are installed at an angle to allow 50 per cent air flow throughout the floors of the UPark for ventilation.
The Rundle Lantern can be viewed online at www.cityofadelaide.com.au/rundlelantern with a webcam installed in the eastern end of Rundle Mall providing real-time images approximately every five seconds.
South Australian companies Fusion, BB Architects and Russell Group have also been involved with the Adelaide City Council in the creation and construction of the Rundle Lantern. The estimated cost of the project is approximately $2 million.
Visit the Adelaide City Council Media Centre for the latest news.
MEDIA CALL
What: Rundle Lantern launch – lighting up the Lantern for the first time
Where: Intersection of Rundle and Pulteney Streets, City
Who: Adelaide Lord Mayor Michael Harbison switching on the Rundle Lantern
When: Friday, 24 October from 7.30pm
MEDIA NOTE: High resolution images are available at www.cityofadelaide.com.au/rundlelantern
| For further information contact Lord Mayor, Michael Harbison: Ph 0419 804 896 or Media and Communications Natalie Di Fava: Ph 8203 7760 or 0417 642 378 | Additional Material: |