In proclaiming 2015 as the International Year of Light, the UN has recognized the importance of light and optical technologies in our lives and for our futures. In celebration of this global initiative, Lighting Planners Associates (LPA) is proud to present Nightscape 2050 at National Design Centre in Singapore from 24 October to 21 November 2015, a travelling exhibition dedicated to exploring interactions between cities, light and people; as well as new horizons in lighting design in the year 2050.
LPA was founded in 1990, with the mission to create superb lighting spaces in architecture and large urban environments. It also has a non-profit wing, Lighting Detectives, dedicated to the study of lighting culture through active public participation. With the Nightscape 2050 travelling exhibition, LPA seeks to inspire, educate and connect on a global scale. How can lighting design contribute to the creation of wonderful encounter of light and people? What can we expect our lighting environment to be in 2050? By manifesting these questions through different exhibition elements, LPA hopes the exhibition will encourage an engaging dialogue to exchange ideas on the delightful future of light and people throughout the world.
"Endlessly evolving optical technologies have provided us not only the convenience, but also the pleasure of freely manipulating light and shadow. On the other hand, the increased and widespread use of artificial light has greatly impacted the circadian rhythm of people; we also now face the problem of light pollution," commented Mr Kaoru Mende, founder of LPA. "As lighting designers, we are curious as to how we will interact with light in the future. We want to create a unique experience to share our ideas, and seek discussion on how light may impact, or influence our 'way of being' in the year 2050."
In conjunction with the Nightscape 2050 travelling exhibition, LPA will also be launching LPA 1990–2015 Tide of Architectural Lighting, a monograph published to celebrate the practice's 25th anniversary. Over 25 years, LPA has completed over 700 lighting design projects. The book is a chronological and comprehensive showcase of 101 hand-picked works by LPA, including award-winning local projects Lighting Masterplan for Singapore City Centre, Gardens by the Bay, National Museum of Singapore and National Gallery Singapore.
The month-long showing in Singapore will feature an experiential projection installation Light Pavilion, a timeline exhibition on the Evolution of Singapore's Nightscape - from 1800 to 2050, video installation Learning From Masters, children's activity Lighting Detectives Jr Workshop, public talks at the Atrium, as well as a chronological display of lighting design projects of LPA.
1. Lighting Pavilion
Set in a dark studio, visitors will experience the different lighting scenarios proposed. The experiential projection installation comprised of three segments - Learning from nature, Learning from World Nightscapes and Scenes of Nightscape 2050. By transporting the observers into an alternate lighting reality, the scenarios allow them to see the future - literally, in a new light.
Learning from Nature
The fundamental principle of LPA’s lighting design is rooted in Nature. All of their design efforts are to get closer to skilful light and shadow created by the two natural light sources available, the sun and fire. Fireflies, Starry Skies and other natural phenomena that enchant them also provide inspiration and are essential to LPA’s unique design language of light.
Learning from World Nightscapes
LPA has accumulated a massive collection of nightscape images through countless lighting surveys conducted around the world over the past 25 years. Each nightscape has its own unique living culture. Although modern technology is rapidly spreading on a global scale, nightscapes can still be viewed as inherent to the local culture represented in these images.
Scenes from Nightscape 2050
The visitors will be shown proposed future interactions with lighting, featured in five different settings - Urban, Street, Park, Home, and People. LPA strived to make this highly creative section enjoyable, experiential and educational.
2. Evolution of Singapore’s Nightscape – from 1800 to 2050
A timeline of critical events in Singapore’s history that shaped the evolution of lighting and the city itself, till the present day; with a glimpse into the imaginable future. This exhibition is specially curated to commemorate SG50.
3. Atrium – Day & Night Lighting
Experience the transition of light from day to night, by observing different lighting change on a big tree installation set up in the middle of the atrium.
Light Bar
Enjoy special luminous cocktails from 31 October - 21 November 2015, every Friday & Saturday from 6pm - 8pm.
Talk Sessions
Informal talk sessions with special guests on 6 and 13 November 2015.
4. Learning from Children
For the Nightscape 2050 travelling exhibition, LPA will conduct workshops in four cities whereby local children will look for heroes and villains of light. After a night walk, the group will discuss examples of good light and bad light and organise a presentation. The children's point of view is quite different from that of adults, and that difference will be the starting point for the discussion of Nightscape 2050.
Lighting Detectives Jr Workshop
Let’s Draw Future Nightscape in Singapore!
25 October 2015 from 10am to 1pm for juniors aged 9 to 15 years old. Free Admission. To register, contact Ms. Angkana at angkana@lighting.co.jp. Tel: 6734 3086
5. Learning from Masters
While there are many people out there that LPA would have wanted to interview, the team has selected five masters who have interacted with light. The video installation will share what these five masters think of our future.
a. Ingo Maurer is a lighting designer who uses high-tech lighting to create poetic products.
b. Shuji Nakamura won the Nobel Prize for his invention of the blue LED.
c. Toshiyuki Inoko is the founder of Team Lab, creating works through experimentation and innovation, and blurring the borders between science, technology and art.
d. Toyo Ito is an architect who has treated lighting design with special care, even more than architecture.
e. William Lim is a Singapore architect, urbanist and critic who has taken a guiding role in creating modern Singapore.
6. Who is LPA?
A section of the exhibition to showcase a chronological chart of architectural lighting design and the projects of LPA, as well as their latest monograph, LPA 1990–2015 Tide of Architectural Lighting, documenting 101 hand-picked works by LPA over 25 years.
Event Information:
Event: Nightscape 2050 Travelling Exhibition - A dialogue between Cities-Light-People in the future
Date: 24 October to 21 November 2015
Time: 9am to 9pm daily
Venue: National Design Centre, Atrium, 111 Middle Road, Singapore 188969
Website: www.facebook.com/lpa.exhibition
