LIGHT AS A MEDIUM TO ENHANCE COMMUNICATION IN URBAN SPACES. AIKATERINI KOLOVEA VARNAVA MASTER THESIS KTH Royal Institute of Technology, M.Sc. Architectural Lighting Design DECEMBER 2017 1 2 LIGHT AS A MEDIUM TO ENHANCE COMMUNICATION IN URBAN SPACES. Author Aikaterini Kolovea Varnava Supervisor Dr. Thomas Schielke KTH Coordinator Isabel Dominguez Master Thesis at KTH Royal Institute of Technology School of Architecture and Built Environment Degree Master of Science in Architectural Lighting Design Course AF270X Submission December 2017 3 AUTHOR’S STATEMENT I hereby affirm that this Master’s Thesis is based on my own observa- tions and is written by me. With academic research I have compiled information relevant to the topic. Sources are listed in the bibliography. Interviews were composed and carried out by me. The thesis was not submitted in the same or in a substantially similar version, not even par- tially, to another examination board and was not published elsewhere. ----------------------------------- Aikaterini Kolovea Varnava Date: 22 December 2017 The Master Thesis is a 15 credits degree project in the M.Sc. programme Architectural Lighting Design, KTH Royal Institute of Technology,School of Architecture and Built Environment. © 2017, Aikaterini Kolovea Varnava Digital Version Stockholm, Sweden 4 5 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the people that supported me during this inspiring journey of my Master Thesis. I am much obliged to every single person who influenced my research, broadened my horizons and inspired me to start searching for my mission as a young lighting designer. The incredible support and patience of my parents, my family and my closest friends, helped me believe that everything is possible and realize that there are endless reasons to smile and dream every single day of the process. Many experts in the fields of lighting, activism, politics, psychology, sociol- ogy, art and architecture made valuable contributions to my research in the form of inspiring and enlightening conversations, fascinating interviews and information without which, the final outcome would not be the same. I greatly appreciate their support and time spared in order to help me with my thesis. Last but not least, I would like to express my gratitude to my tutor, Dr. Thom- as Schielke, for his invaluable comments, time and guidance during the entire process of my research. He was the one who invigorated my excite- ment to go deeper into this social aspect of lighting design and for that, I am forever thankful. 6 ABSTRACT Τaking into consideration how frequent the presence of light is in the most of the communication events and initiatives of human beings, as well as, the continuous need of the society for an evolution and facilitation of communi- cation, without barriers, this thesis aims to study how light can be an impactful medium, suitable to influence and create, a social worldwide engagement οn a daily basis. Βy applying current techniques and methodologies of the field, through the published bibliography and articles, the collection and presentation of the ex- isting projects, original interviews and questionnaires, this research, attempts to present significant reasons and arguments that designate the light as a basic communication tool, suitable to dynamically contribute in transferring messag- es and information on sociopolitical, environmental and health related fields. In the end, it is justified that light under a certain context, is an attractive me- dium, suitable for raising awareness, communicating messages for local and global issues and creating social engagement in the urban space. By provid- ing arguments for the importance of the use of light in sociopolitical, environ- mental and health issues, emphasizing on the dynamic lighting environments that can communicate information through light, this research concludes with an aspiration for more conscious use of this communicative “language” in the urban space. Through the final conclusions, it is evident that the continuation of a construc- tive dialogue on the subject will help solidify the position of light as a funda- mental and meaningful communication medium. For that reason, the discus- sions and conclusions, will give the audience and researchers the incentive to dive deeper into the issue and investigate the many aspects of it in further analysis. 7 8 4.3 Experts Interviews TABLE OF CONTENTS 4.3.1 A.Politicians, Social activists 4.3.2 B. Lighting designers 1. INTRODUCTION 11 4.3.3 C. Projects creators 1.1 Keywords 4.3.3.1: Tribute in Light, Charles Stone 1.2 Objectives 4.3.3.2: Project Resist, Lighting Collective 1.3 Methodology 4.3.3.3: #Welivehere2017, Clare Lewis 1.4 Procedure 4.3.3.4: Projecting change ESB, OPS 1.5 Limitations 4.3.3.5: Light it up Blue, Autism Speaks 1.6 Structure 5. DISCUSSION 87 2. METHODOLOGY 17 5.1 Global color campaigns/ Color symbolism 2.1 Qualitative Methods 5.2 Variety of tools/ Comparison 2.2 Literature 5.3 a. Same message, same medium, different installations 2.3 Project categories 5.3 b. Different message, same medium, same installations 2.4 Selected projects 5.4 a. The role of landmarks 2.5 Expert Interviews 5.4 b. Lighting designers’ role 5.5 Abstract vs literal communication 3. BACKGROUND 21 5.6 Time and repetition 3.1 Science & Light 5.7 Regulations 3.2 Urban Space 5.8 a. The importance of Media 3.3 Communication Theory & Media 5.8 b. Light as a Massive communication medium 3.4 Community effect & Psychology 5.9 Another use of light/ Propaganda 3.5 Social engagement, Activism & Artivism 5.10 Light as a language 3.6 Lighting Characteristics & Tools 6. CONCLUSION 103 6.1 Conclusions 4.CASE STUDY 35 6.2 Outlook 4.1 Project categories 4.2 Selected projects 7. BIBLIOGRAPHY 109 4.2.1 #Welivehere 4.2.2 Tribute in Light 8. TABLE OF FIGURES 117 4.2.3 Projecting Change 4.2.4 Project Resist 9. APPENDIX 125 4.2.5 Light it up blue 9.1 Experts Interviews questionnaires A, B 4.2.6 Earth Hour 9.2 Experts Interviews questionnaires C 9 10 1. INTRODUCTION “Education is the movement from darkness to light”. Allan Bloom, Philosopher, 11 ONE WORLD If someone thinks the manifestations in terrorism, social racism and economic which light has played a dominant and inequality are just some examples of the leading role in the various stages of hu- numerous issues that we have to face. manity’s history until the 21st century, he will realize that the events connected to People, NGOs and municipalities, find light are innumerable and of high impor- different means and actions in order to tance. Political, protest, entertainment achieve change and awareness. There and sport events, religious ceremonies, are innumerable actions that are used social awareness and information affairs, to inform, protest and create aware- as well as, events aiming to impress or ness for important social issues. proselytize ideologies, beliefs, views and opinions. Since the ancient times, starting For example, communities and groups from when people were using fire as the of individuals, will choose to protest by basic mean to express and influence hu- demonstrating on the street, in front Fig. 1: The earth man emotions of any kind, has been ob- of a Municipality building or in front of served that light is a fundamental element the headquarters of a compan. Some- in many levels of human life. times, demonstrations are connected Fig.2: Protest for with violence and may lead to police human rights What is that which, encourages people engagement. Moreover, activists and to choose light as a basic tool in all these NGOs, except of an outdoor demon- initiatives and events? What is the special stration, will do different actions like potential that light has? Is it related to the door to door canvassing, alternative intense reaction it causes through the op- radio, public meetings, rallies or fasting. tic nerve on the human brain? Does it trig- Fig.3: Paris climate ger our emotions and behavior? Is it useful Municipalities and politicians, most of agreenment COP21 because it is easy to transform a space? the times, will use the Mass Media in order to create awareness and inform In recent years, we are going through a people for a certain issue. They will or- period of social, environmental and politi- ganize global conferences and con- cal turmoil. Air and water pollution, global ventions for global Warming, environ- Warming, increase of infectious diseases, mental and health issues. Fig.4: Media cam- paign for health political conflicts, violence, 12 INTRODUCTION ERA OF TECHNOLOGY In the era of technology, interactive mul- In this research, there is an attempt to timedia, the Internet, smartphones and prove that light in different applications generally, all kinds of technological de- and under a specific context, focused velopments, have a dominant role in ev- on the use of the architecture of the eryday life. Static printed images are no city as a canvas, can be an impactful longer able to convey powerful messages medium that can be used in order to when people are getting used to vibrant create social engagement worldwide. screens with fast changing messages. New ways are being developed in order to explore means to communicate social messages, to inform, raise awareness and motivate people to achieve change and progress. Fig. 5: The era of technology Light seems to be one of these new ways. Light can transfer messages quickly and simply, without raising linguistic, class or racial barriers. Nowadays, light has been used for temporary interventions in order to achieve a visual impact. The question that arises is if light can transmit important messages that will remain indelible in peo- ples’ minds.