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S A F E T Y
The practical work involved in devising celebrations requires the occupational health and safety practices associated with the visual and performing arts. Always put safety first.

Lanterns

Ideal:

A single candle dispels the dark. The dancing flickering light of a candle has an energy and life of its own. It calms and delights. Candlelight on a shaped translucent surface brings shapes to life. Lanterns are a part of most cultures from the Chinese lantern to the pumpkin Jack O' Lantern.

Form:

A light in an enclosure that shapes, colours and protects that light.The enclosing shape is infintely variable and can be made into any desired image.

Principles:

Lanterns must be:

• Light and portable by hand or handle or stick.
• Translucent.
• Permit lights to be lit/placed inside and for hot air to escape.
• Safe for user and environment. If using fire, have a fire safety officer present at all times. Have a wet blanket, fire extinguisher and sand at hand to extinguish any fire. Make sure all performers are wearing non-flammable clothing (ie cotton or wool), hair is tied up, and all aterials are fire retarded with fire retardant spray.
• Always put the safety of crew, performers and spectators first - no exceptions.

Practices:

Lanterns can be:

• Built with light cane, masking tape, and greaseproof paper.
• Used for processions at twilight and at night.
• Used to shape and focus a space.
• Used as decoration of a site.
• Used as key images in a performance.
• Used as part of a stage set.
• Used as part of a larger visual image.
• Some example sof lanterns include: a tree of lanterns; a walkway of firepots (candles in sand-filled paper bags); entrance lights; a Halloween Jack O' Lantern.

	Light cane can be used to create the frame for a lantern. Joints can be wired and taped together. The frame can then be covered with greaseproof paper soaked in a 50/50 mix of PVA glue and water. The paper will dry tight over the frame.
	You must leave a "chimney" above the light source to allow heat to escape. You can make the chimney big enough to allow access to the lantern so you can place and light a candle.
	Lantern shapes are limited only by your imagination.