Architectural Lighting Design KTH School of Architecture Master’s Thesis AF270X Light Evoking Emotions: The Element of Surprise in theatre and photography conveyed through the medium of light. Parallels and applications in Architecture May 2019 Author: Koumaridou Olympia Tutor: Spentza Mara 1 This thesis is dedicated to the memory of my grandmother 2 Title: Light Evoking Emotions: The Element of Surprise in theatre and photography conveyed through the medium of light. Parallels and applications in Architecture 3 Table of contents Abstract Introduction Background research a. Motivation of art b. Light and emotions c. Definition of surprise d. Theatre lighting design e. Light Painting photograph and examples Methodology a. theatrical performance: “the experiment” b. Public architectural buildings: Hilton Tokyo - Midland Square Tokyo c. Light painting photographer: Jozef Sedlák d. Facades: Yamaguchi Xavier Memorial Church and Okiden Naha Building Results Analysis a. Analysis of results in theatrical performance “the experiment” i. Plot of the theatrical performance ii. Personal analysis iii. Public interviews iv. Lighting designer interview b. Analysis of Architectural lighting design in Hilton Tokyo and Midland square i. Hilton Tiokyo ii. Midland Square Tokyo c. Analysis of results in light painting photograph “sequence no.2” i. Personal analysis ii. Public opinion from questioners iii. Josef Sedlak interview d. Analysis of Architectural lighting design in facades of Okiden Naha Building and Yamaguchi Xavier Memorial Church i. Okiden Naha building ii. Yamaguchi Xavier Memorial Church Discussion Conclusion Acknowledged Bibliography Appendix 4 Abstract The aim of this dissertation is to research the way light is used as a tool to reveal emotions, focusing on The Element of Surprise. Light is a powerful medium that could instantly change the perception of space in terms of mood and atmosphere that is created by it. By observing the way light is used to reveal ‘Surprise’ in contemporary Theatrical Performances and contemporary painting techniques such as Light Photography Painting paradigms, we can find parallels and apply similar techniques of thought, into the creation of architectural indoor and outdoor public spaces. The feeling of surprise is an extremely intense emotion happening instantly and has an important impact on human brain and psychology. The main characteristic of this feeling is that whatever causes surprise is unforgettable. People feel this emotion as the result of an unexpected event and surprise happens when expectations mismatch reality, regardless of the fact that it can be something positive or negative. This Thesis starts by observing light within a contemporary Greek theatrical performance called “The Experiment”, which took place on April 2019 in “Megaron” Athens Concert Hall, trying to identify the way that light is used to evoke the feeling of surprise, while at the same time examining the work of a Slavak photographer Jozef Sedlak, who uses light as a painting tool in his contemporary ‘Painting Photographs’ οften creating surrealistic pictures that provoke the feeling of surprise to the viewers. More specifically, the dissertation focuses on dynamic and static 3D and 2D representations of light used to reveal surprise in order to draw conclusions for architectural 3D space that can be experienced dynamically (move through) or statically (sit/stand and contemplate one specific perspective) by comparing the above mentioned contemporary theatrical performance with interiors of Hilton Tokyo and Midland Square Tokyo ,and Photography Painting with 2D lighting schemes Yamaguchi Xavier Memorial Church and Okiden Naha Building for their facades. The methods used are mainly qualitative through personal observations, interviews and questionnaires having as criteria of evaluation the following qualities of light: visibility, contrast, light color, layers of light, transformation and completeness. The chapters “Results” and “Analysis” lead to the comparison, which took place in chapter “discussion”, in order to find the parallels above mentioned. 5 Introduction This dissertation has its origins in a personal interest in further exploring, within the field of theatre and photography, the way light is used as a tool to reveal emotions, focusing on The Element of Surprise. By Studying Architectural Lighting Design, someone could instantly realize that the medium of light is not only used to assist in functional purposes but is at the same time inextricable linked to creativity aspects and art qualities. During the Master of Architectural Lighting Design in University of Stockholm Royal Institute of Technology a variety of references were presented concerning the role of light in arts (painting, cinematography) and the way artists use it as a tool to feature their art works. Art originates from the human urge to communicate deeper thoughts and emotions as well as express oneself. Light often causes emotions in a subconscious way, due to its dual nature - wave and particles - combined with human eye physiology and visual perception we can easily grasp the fact that light – as one of the basic human senses - affects in a direct while complex manner emotions, through its various qualities The element of surprise is chosen among all other emotions due to its unique complexity. It is an emotion that is always accompanied by other feelings either negative or positive. The presented thesis does not focus on either the negative or positive nature of surprise, but in the way that this is revealed through the medium of light. In a theatrical performance, through scenography, each scene is modified creating spaces which by the use of light come to life, transferring the audience in different seasons, locations as well as conveying emotions. There are common elements that an observer also finds within the field of Architecture. We can thus say that the scenographer and director of a performance are like the architects in real life, the actors are the residents, audience like the visitors of a public space and theatre lighting designer is the architectural lighting designer. On the other hand, the art of photography is a static 2D picture where light is used as a means of helping the viewer to understand the depth in the picture, to focus his attention on the areas of interest and importance, in the same way that light functions in painting. In the field of photography there is “light painting photography” in which photographers use the medium of light and its qualities as a centerpiece to express their thoughts and evoke emotions. This technique was used by Picasso and through the years developed and nowadays it has a lot of supporters. 6 Background research This chapter aims at focusing on the importance of the purposes and motivation of art, the connection between light and emotions alongside with the definition of the feeling of surprise. In addition, it is crucial here to introduce the reader to the basic functions of light in a theatrical production and the definition of light in painting photography, in order to be able to identify the techniques and qualities used in each general field and specific case studies chosen for this Thesis. a. Motivation of art Humanity through its history is inextricably linked with art. Although the purpose of art is difficult to define, it does not mean that it is unclear but there is a variety of different reasons that lead someone to creation. The purposes that motivate someone’s creativity can be divided into two categories: Non-motivated functions, that are integral parts of nature and existence of man, without having a specific use, exceed the individual or do not fulfill any external purpose. These functions are : a. Basic human instinct for harmony, balance, rhythm, b. Experience of the mysterious c. Expression of the imagination d. Ritualistic and symbolic functions1 Motivated functions of art, which are conscious options and actions with a deeper aim to pass a message, to communicate an idea. These functions are: a. Communication b. Art as entertainment c. The Avante-Garde d. Art for political change (Dadaism, Surrealism, Russian constructivism, and Abstract Expressionism) e. Art as a "free zone; 'removed from the action of the social censure ( social inquiry, activism, subversion, deconstruction), f. Art for social inquiry, subversion, and/or anarchy, g. Art for social causes, h. Art can be used to raise awareness for a large variety of causes i. Art for psychological and healing purposes, j. Art for propaganda or commercialism, k. Art as a fitness indicator.1 1 Giovanni Schiuma The Value of Arts for Business. Cambridge University Press, 2011, p. 37 7 b. Light and emotions The power of light has a significant role in human’s life. It can affect human’s health either biological or psychological since it has impact on circadian rhythm. It is responsible for sleeping as well as depression levels and cognitive performance. Consequently, light can convey or affect emotions usually without being perceptible. The primary emotions according Parrot’s categorization are six : Joy, sadness, fear, surprise, love and anger2. A lighting designer using light qualities with a proper way can evoke these emotions. These basic qualities are the following: i. Color of light: It can affect humans’ emotions. People subconsciously have already connected colors with emotions either positive or negative. Red is associated with excitement, passion, warmth but also with rage. Green is calm, refreshing,