Lightopia

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An investigation into the development of light design within a broad cultural and historical context Lightopia investigates the development of light design, taking a novel perspective by placing the current paradigm shift in the larger context of cultural history. The starting point for the book is the Vitra Design Museum’s extensive, never before seen lighting collection, from which particularly rare and important pieces are reproduced here―by designers such as Charlotte Perriand, Le Corbusier, Achille Castiglioni and Gino Sarfatti. Parallel to these works, contemporary examples from the fields of design and art explore the current developments and transitions in light from new illumination concepts and innovative light designs to dynamic urban street lighting and energy efficient multifunctional (media) facades up to art installations and light experiments. Lightopia looks at natural phenomena and new technologies as well as exploring the fundamental emotional power of light. The spectrum of works surveyed extends from light objects inter alia by Troika and Mischer Traxler up to installations by Olafur Eliasson. These art and design objects are juxtaposed with exhibits from different cultural-historical contexts, which all allude to light’s various symbolic connotations and speak of people’s ongoing fascination with light throughout the ages.