Everything that we see is touched by light. It has been studied since the time of the Greeks and their god Apollo and one of the few human universals is that we are all drawn to good lighting (or light that makes us look good.)
Lighting design is the art of using contrast to build drama and subtlety to usher in comfort. It is understanding the intersection of human interaction and the spaces we occupy. Lighting affects us all subconsciously on both intellectual and emotional levels. It guides both our eyes and our moods. Lighting can change the entirety of a room. It is something that we all can see, but none can fully explain.
Over the last few decades, New York has developed itself as one of the world centers on the study of light. The purpose of this site is to be a conduit for all of the amazing things that are happening in the NYC lighting community. I will begin by documenting the last 5 years of the IES Lumen Awards in light of the recent 50th anniversary and offer a space for anyone involved to comment on this huge milestone. The AILD also is celebrating 50 years, so there is much to celebrate! We also want to try and amplify the signal some of the great contributions of organizations such as the IES, DLFNY, Phoscope, and also too many individuals to name (and I’m sure plenty we don’t know!)
We also believe that the lighting industry has a unique opportunity in that sustainability is a concept that is embodied in so many of our products. It is therefore important to showcase this aspect and offer a place to explore how we can exploit this inherent value for all that it is worth.