CASE STUDY: LIMELIGHT

RISD Museum · Institutional Portrait Activation (2026)

A live, participatory portrait system designed to recognize, honor, and archive museum staff during Museum Workers Appreciation Night.

THE COMMISSION

Commissioned by the RISD Museum, Limelight was built to center the institution’s staff—the individuals whose labor sustains the museum's daily operations. Operating within the dynamic flow of a live evening event, the activation required a system capable of honoring participants individually while establishing a unified visual archive for institutional communications.

FIELDWORK & DIRECTORIAL METHOD

To counter the rushed pace of an event, the studio deployed a 4x5 view camera adapted for instant Instax Wide emulsion. This deliberate, historical optical rig slowed down the interaction, transforming a brief sitting into a reverent, intentional encounter. Operating without artificial hurry, the methodology balanced technical precision with rapid trust-building. Each subject experienced a moments-long sanctuary of undivided attention, yielding a physical artifact made directly in their presence.