Hello Lighting Tamers!
Whether you’re making your first plasma piece or exhibiting at a gallery or donating to a fundraiser, good documentation is more than just a formality—it’s a mark of care, professionalism, and accessibility. Providing clear instructions helps curators, collectors, and technicians understand how to safely install, display, and maintain your work.
In this post, I’ll share two example documents you can use as templates for your own plasma sculptures:
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An Owner’s Guide, adapted from the Plasma Globe Owner’s Guide by Specialty Toys Direct
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An Install & Assembly Guide, using my own sculpture Czargon’s Tri-Intersecting Torus as a case study
These examples were developed to help artists, makers, and institutions document plasma works in a clear and informative way.
1. Owner’s Guide – Plasma Light Sculpture
Based on the framework used by manufacturers like Specialty Toys Direct, this guide is intended to be handed off with the artwork. It covers safety information, handling instructions, and tips for long-term care.
This is particularly important when plasma light sculptures are acquired by institutions or private collectors unfamiliar with the nuances of these artworks.
👉 Download Sample: Plasma Light Sculpture Owner’s Guide (PDF)
(Sample adapted from the Plasma Globe Owner’s Guide by Specialty Toys Direct)
2. Install & Assembly Guide – Czargon’s Tri-Intersecting Torus
This guide was created for my plasma sculpture Czargon’s Tri-Intersecting Torus, which was donated to the Pittsburgh Glass Center’s 2025 Art on Fire Fundraiser. It includes detailed setup instructions, recommended placement, electrical requirements, and images showing the installation process.
Providing this kind of guide helps ensure the sculpture is presented as intended, whether it’s being exhibited at a gallery, fundraiser, or collector’s space.
👉Download Sample: Install & Assembly Guide – Czargon’s Torus (PDF)
Why It Matters
Plasma light sculptures are mixed media artworks—part sculpture, part science. So documenting them professionally:
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Builds trust with buyers, galleries, and institutions
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Reduces the risk of damage or improper use
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Makes your work more accessible and easier to exhibit
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Adds legitimacy to a medium that still surprises people
If you’ve ever answered the question “How do I plug this in?” or “Why does it buzz?”, these guides are for you.
Lead by example & Start Your Own
I encourage artists and makers to use these examples as templates for inspiration. You can customize them to your own needs and branding, but the goal remains the same: Make it easy for someone else to understand and care for your work.
Recommended Programs for layout:
If you’ve made your own version of an Owner’s or Install Guide, I’d love to see it. Drop me a line at percy@taminglightning.net or tag @TamingLightning on Instagram.
Let’s raise the standard—together.
Percy Echols II, Taming Lightning
