Library of Light an Artistic Framework to Explore Light Material Culture and Social Experience (original) (raw)

Light-art research. Theories, methods and practices

ICERi, 2016

The Madrid Regional Government promotes every year the Science Week through its state agency, the Madri+d Foundation for Knowledge. Its 15th edition was held from 2nd to 15th November 2015 under the slogan "Learn, Experience, See". The initiative was also included in the activities of International Year of Light and Light-Related Technologies proclaimed by the United Nations. Our proposal formed part of the activities undertaken by the Complutense University of Madrid at the 15th Science Week of the Community of Madrid. The aim of the present work is to provide information related to dynamics generated in the structure and development of artistic projects related to forms of artistic thought, communication and procedure, linking science, art and technology. The activity seeks to bring together series of elements of theoretical knowledge-light, colour, form and glass-which allow us to access the complex world of artistic endeavour seen as the product of a systemic and creative process of thinking.

Architecture, Contemporary Art and Light

Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference in Environmental Design. Mediterranean Design Association. 03-04 October 2019. Marsala, Italy, 2019

This research presents a methodological approach to understanding the role of lighting in the architecture of Jameel Arts Center and specifically in ‘Crude’ collective exhibition which is the first collective exhibition in the aforementioned center which main theme is oil. Lighting in this case entails sustainability, specifically environmental considerations and the role of light in revealing the artists’ intentions. This art center is located in Dubai. In addition to understanding quantitatively lighting calculations and energy efficiency against standards, a crucial factor in lighting design for an exhibition space is to analyze its role in delivering the meaning of the exhibited objects. Digital simulations of artificial and natural light allow obtaining data of the considered case study like illuminance and daylight factor respectively but further scrutiny is needed to understand historical, cultural, and technological factors. In a broader sense, this paper also sheds light on contemporary art in Dubai practiced by various artists from the Middle East. Their artwork will be, hence, analyzed in relation to lighting factors in the versatile spaces of Jameel Arts Center. As will be further demonstrated in this paper, some contemporary art is inseparable from their envisaged lighting where, for example, the cast shadows become part of the materiality of the artwork. For other artworks, the building orientation of the center in its urban site allows for a direct sunlight penetration interacting with the artwork naturally without the need of artificial lighting. On the other hand, the center’s galleries themselves become spaces of contemplation for the visitor where a glossary of openings and their significance are bestowed similar to Le Corbusier’s La Petite Maison but on a different scale.

Light perspectives between culture and technology

What are the intrinsic qualities of light, and how are the techniques and design approaches implemented in architecture? How are abstract lighting concepts conveyed, and how far is our perception of light rooted in the biological and cultural history of human evolution? This book endeavours to identify terms and stand- ards which relate to qualities in architectural lighting. It uses this identification to promote communication and aid dialogue between designers and engineers, building owners and planners, professionals and laymen. The 21 chapters are arranged in three sections cover- ing the actual qualities of light, the relation- ship between light and space and, finally, the dimension of light as it relates to culture. In each of the chapters, paired terms explore the respective design dimension of light. Using texts, photos, computer graphics and drawings, the team of authors investigates each pair of terms – beginning with the original cultural and historical context, moving onto didactic material on perception, lighting design and lighting technology and concluding with case studies in virtual architectural situations.

Between Dark and Light: The Light Art of Ruth McDermott and Ben Baxter

Over the past two decades, a quiet revolution has taken place in the world of light art and design with the introduction of LED technology. Sydney-based artists Ruth McDermott and Ben Baxter have been on the vanguard of this movement, creating innovative and award-winning installation artworks utilizing the capabilities of this new technology. A frequent highlight of the Vivid Sydney light art festival, their work has become known for creating site-specific narratives exploring the landscapes and histories of Sydney and its surrounds. This book surveys twelve years of their practice (2009-2021), as their work evolved in tandem with the technology, with a special focus on the technical aspects of creating, mounting, and displaying large-scale installations. Along with an essay on the history of light art, commentary from collaborators, and over 100 photographs documenting the conceptual life span of eighteen artworks, this book features the authors reflections on the unique relations...

Painting with Light: A practice-led exploration of contemporary painting and the illuminated frame

2019

The rationale of Painting with Light is the development of a self-illuminating frame that explores the space between painting and wall-based art. The aims of Painting with Light are to: analyse the self-illuminated frame as a useful device for the paintings as wall-based sculpture, question its function as a frame within the gallery through the rejection of gallery lighting and to examine the usage of thermochromic pigments within contemporary painting. The following practice-led research offers a cumulative reading of contemporary theories and practices concerning the picture frame, painting, wall-based sculpture, light, the role of the spiritual in art and the gallery environment. Installation/Painting is the title given to the research exhibition that presented the artworks and associated manifesto. The research exhibition focused on gaining the spectators considerations of the relationship concerning the space between the paintings as wall-based sculpture due to the light radiat...

Theories about light for sale: an installation representing theoretical concepts

P. Giannouli & M. Koukounaras-Liagkis (Eds.), Theatre/Drama and Performing Arts in Education: Utopia or necessity? Athens, Greece: Hellenic Theatre/Drama & Education Network, 2019

In the text below, we explore the possibilities whereby an artistic installation can alter the formal or non-"didactic" functioning of demonstration artefacts/experiments by imposing its artistic dimension as dominant instead of the scientific one. More specifically, relying on artistic disciplines, twelve trainee preschool educators attempted to address the following impasse: we would like the demonstration artefacts (such as the experimental setup or the testing apparatus) to show to the uninitiated the theoretical ideas traversing them, while knowing full well that theoretical ideas usually precede these arrays, guide their construction and only arduously emerge from them. From its application and results, it appears that Art can create what is substantially an interdisciplinary/ cross-thematic framework, which succeeds in bridging the distances between scientific ideas and ideas that have different "origins". This helps the students-creators to distinguish and handle the tensions traversing scientific ideas by using terms drawn from aesthetics-and the lay persons forming the public to consider the targeted scientific (and other) ideas through the aesthetic tensions of the overall project.

Touched by Light

International Journal of Sustainable Lighting, 2017

With LED as illuminant a new era of dealing with lighting has dawned. Digitalisation, light guidance and light quality take on greater significance. Physical and emotional impacts of light on the human being have become common topics in the everyday life of a modern society. The amount of light which determines the character of spaces is steadily increasing. Our visual perception has adapted and assimilated to it over the years, decades, centuries. What was once perceived as bright today can’t either be used in a functional way or even less meet current standardization regulations. The project “Langsames Licht / Slow Light” searches for ways to practically implement theoretical insights and experience from the subjects of art, science and design, allowing a targeted use of light.