difference between the two, with Kristina in England and Walesca in Australia.
Danai Lytra and Claudia Paz
They had the timing worked out – Walesca would wake up and begin her day with a call to Kristina, who was just putting her kids to bed. But, at the end of March, clocks spring forward an hour in England, just as they are put back an hour in Australia, making the mornings even earlier for Walesca and the nights even later for Kristina.
Danai Lytra heard about the Silhouette Awards through a friend in Sweden who had participated in season one. When the applications for season two opened, she was venturing out into uncharted territory for herself, both creatively, by beginning to explore public light art installations, and professionally, by starting her own company. In the midst of these challenges, she felt it was the perfect time for a mentor.
An unusual aspect of their pairing is the fact that Kristina and Walesca are the same age, though at different stages of their respective careers. Walesca noted that this has caused them to reflect on the unique journey every designer takes and appreciate how far they have both come. It was clear from our conversation that the two have developed a deep friendship, and I suspect this is one reason why. Being across the world from one another, they have yet to meet in person, though they plan to at some point, and they intend to stay in touch. When I commented that season two was coming to a close, Kristina, somewhat surprised, replied, “Is it? We’ve just been talking all the time. I didn’t even think about when this was ending.” Walesca added, “We are just getting started.”
Prior to season two, the Silhouette Awards team reached out to Claudia Paz about being a mentor – an opportunity she gladly accepted. “Our community is so small. I always try and help. I think it’s the best way to leave a trace of what we are doing,” she explained. She has run her own studio for more than a decade, working on unique projects integrating light, art, and technology. Claudia’s experience and Danai’s goals synergized perfectly. They began with Danai listing those goals and how she felt Claudia could help. Quickly, an idea for a public light art installation in Stockholm was born. The Silhouette Awards team put them in contact with GVA Lighting, who wanted to sponsor the project.
“I know what it’s like to be scared, to be uncertain. But, if you don’t move forward, you are never going to know. So, you need to jump into it.” — Claudia Paz Image courtesy of the Silhouette Awards.
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designing lighting