THE NATIONAL LIGHT
Project Brief
June 2023
Philadelphia, PA
THE NATIONAL LIGHT
The National Light Mission
In 2026, America will celebrate the 250th anniversary of its independence. This celebration will give Americans the opportunity to reflect on what made our Nation great, and reinstill the simple belief that we are Americans with common goals for our country.
To celebrate this historic moment and create a legacy for years to come, a vision for The National Light was born. The National Light will celebrate our country’s ongoing mission to create the world’s greatest democracy and represent all American voices. At a time when America has become divided, The National Light serves as an opportunity
to celebrate progress, reflect on current challenges, and instill the message that we can overcome all obstacles by working together. In a time of partisanship and mistrust, The National Light provides a platform where all Americans are heard.
Throughout the 250th celebration, The National Light will serve as a gathering place where important issues are discussed, debated and supported. A neutral, safe space where a variety of perspectives are shared and new ways of thinking are encouraged - all in the spirit of binding the American people together again as One Nation.
THE NATIONAL LIGHT
Experience Elements
The National Light is an interactive monument that employs breathtaking technology to create dynamic activations of light and sound to represent the voices of the American people.
As visitors explore the grounds and pathways to arrive at The National Light, they will encounter contribution stations where they are prompted to share their voice and reflect on specific topics. When visitors submit their response at a contribution station, their voice is transformed into a symphonic melody unique to their individual response that appears on the exterior dome of The National Light in the form of an animated light visualization.
When visitors enter The National Light they are greeted by a 360-degree symphony of light and sound composed of the unique melodic tones created by each contributor. Within the interior dome, visitors will have the opportunity to both observe and listen to the reflections and opinions of all participants via spatialized audio and a central reflection pool featuring responses from visitors and historic orators.
Commemorating America’s historic 250th birthday, The National Light will honor this once in a lifetime moment while serving as a town hall for future public discourse. As part of the content programming, key statements and stories by visitors and prominent figures from around the globe will be featured onsite to showcase inspiring examples where individuals have modified their views in order to reach a larger consensus.
THE NATIONAL LIGHT
Content Opportunities
The content programming for the experience will continuously evolve to remain current from year to year, featuring present day topics and annual observances.
For example, visitors may be asked:
As America celebrates our 250th birthday, what changes would you like to see happen in America to make it a better place?
What role should the government play in our society?
Should Supreme Court appointments be limited to ten years?
What American accomplishments are you most proud of?
What does community mean to you?
As part of the onsite programming, The National Light will feature a calendar of events and invite keynote speakers to discuss questions and perspectives frequently shared by visitors. These events will be captured digitally for all to enjoy, creating a national archive of citizen thoughts that will grow over time.
The National Light will be accessible to all around the globe via a digital platform extension. Using a smartphone, Americans can share their voice from anywhere, explore the collective sentiment of previous visitors, and vote on contributions from others. The most voted upon contributions will be featured onsite at The National Light.
The National Light will serve as a living legacy of the Nation’s 250th birthday, creating a modern archive that expresses the ever changing views of the American people, documents our Nation’s progress, and sets the stage for the future of American democracy.
Thank you.