Luminous Crystals
by Spencer Kane Edgerton
Sponsor: 91.3 FM KXCI Community Radio
Nonprofit: Foundation for Creative Broadcasting

As Arizona is a state noted for it's mineral wealth, and Tucson is home to the Gem and Mineral Show, I found it appropriate to propose a giant cluster of mineral crystals for this project. In addition, in consideration of the element of light, I ruled out other signifiers of Tucson, such as cactus and coyotes, because they don't have an innate luminosity. Certain minerals fluoresce, and the effect is astounding. If my project captures a part of what draws people to the beauty of rare natural mineral formations, the crystals and gems that fill museums, bank vaults, and jewelry boxes, then I will consider my contribution a success.

The crystals will be made by laminating acrylic panels over a steel frame. The frame will be hexagonal in cross section, in accordance with the properties of quartz crystals. Solar powered L.E.D.s will provide internal illumination. Interestingly, the photovoltaic panels powering the luminaria are also a kind of crystal! Perhaps the notion of crystals as a mystical power source is not so far off...