Bringing Light to Art

This spring, Harrington Electric Co. had the unique honor of helping illuminate one of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s most captivating exhibitions to date: Takashi Murakami: Stepping on the Tail of a Rainbow. More specifically, we were called in to power and light a stunning installation known as the Yumedono—a sacred architectural structure traditionally found inside Buddhist temples.

Located in the museum’s beautiful Ames Family Atrium, the Yumedono—translated as “Hall of Dreams”—is a serene, temple-like interior space built to house statues and spiritual artwork. Inside the museum’s exhibit, this structure has become a contemplative centerpiece. Constructed by the talented exhibit team at 11th Street Workshop, the Yumedono features soft rice paper windows designed to gently glow when viewed from outside the structure, and soft front-lit lighting to showcase the art of Takashi Murakami — one of the world’s most celebrated contemporary artists — to provide a dreamlike ambiance for patrons and guests. Harrington Electric was brought in to handle the intricate electrical and lighting work required to bring the Yumedono to life.

Led by Harrington Electric president, Tom Morgan, and implemented by electricians Dave Ross, Rob Lee, Kevin Kranek, Jeremy Wathey, Jeff Pettway and Jason Palmer, the project began in April and was completed in just three weeks. Working in a high-security museum environment presented its own set of challenges—requiring escorts throughout the facility and close coordination with museum staff who were incredibly supportive and welcoming.

“While we’ve done behind-the-scenes electrical work at the Cleveland Museum of Art in the past, this was our first time being directly involved in a museum exhibit,” said Tom Morgan. “It was a very cool project, a great experience, and we were extremely grateful for the opportunity.”

One of the most challenging aspects of the job was safely bringing power into the standalone Yumedono structure. The power originated from below a nearby external planter trough that was previously installed in the museum’s atrium, and from there Harrington electricians ran dedicated feeds into the exhibit. To meet code and ensure safety, exterior disconnecting mains were installed with in-use weatherproof covers. Inside, special care was taken to conceal any visible wiring, and the exhibit company’s paint crew expertly blended the light switch covers into the surrounding aesthetic using stylized mud for a clean, seamless finish, and subtly stamped the word “electricity” in Japanese on the switch to add to the authenticity of the exhibit.

Lighting design was a focal point of the project, and a delicate balance had to be struck. The interior of the Yumedono is intentionally dark—almost black—to direct focus on the intricate and colorful art pieces inside. The Harrington team installed custom LED track lighting to subtly illuminate key features while preserving the exhibit’s spiritual atmosphere. Additional lighting that was installed between the structure’s interior and exterior walls was carefully designed to illuminate the rice paper windows, creating an ethereal glow that draws visitors in from the outside.

To meet HVAC requirements, Harrington also installed power for four large ceiling fans used for air circulation which pulled air up from the floor to exit through the roof of the structure; and integrated smoke detection systems to comply with the museum’s strict safety codes. While the crew was not permitted inside the Yumedono during the final art installation, they worked closely with the exhibit crew from 11th Street Workshop and lead architect Andrew Gutierrez to ensure every detail was just right.

“This project really stood out for us,” said Tom Morgan. “Not only was it our first time being so directly involved in a museum exhibit, but we also got to work alongside an incredibly talented and joyful group of professionals. The team from 11th Street Workshop was phenomenal, and the museum staff couldn’t have been more supportive.”

The Yumedono is a space meant to evoke reverence and reflection—and thanks to careful craftsmanship and thoughtful lighting, it now radiates Takashi Murakami’s stunning art with quiet brilliance. Harrington Electric Co. is proud to have played a role in creating this experience for patrons and visitors to the Cleveland Museum of Art.

We’re extremely honored and thankful to the museum for allowing us to contribute to such an extraordinary project.