of the very brief knowledge of light that i have at this point, there are three things that i appreciate and somewhat understand about light that i would like
to explore further. one of these topics is that light can be associated with other senses than sight and touch (heat). certain light/color combinations and intensities can spark something in the brain that appeal to smell, taste, and sound as well. the first photo that i'm showing here really exudes a sound track to me. at the bottom of the photo where the light is very bright gold/yellow, i can hear the sounds of the street: conversations, laughter, bellows, automobiles honking, breaks squealing... but as my eyes move up the buildings toward the sky, the brightness fades and with it i can hear all of the sounds fade until all i hear is the wind at the top of the skyscrapers. the intensity of the bottom transforms into a kind of serenity at the top, which is accentuated by the faint blue glow of late dusk. this photograph is courtesy of phil holden .
the second picture, to me, shows how focal light can make a space feel personal and almost private without putting up physical barriers. you see this in restaurants a lot when there is a faint spot light over a table. i think it has something to do with human nature in that we are drawn to light
and, therefore, the close proximity to a light is more comfortable than the area outside the light. kind of like a campfire in a really dark field. you just feel safer and more comfortable near the light. so, i took this photo @ the loewenstein residence last semester when working in the exhibit design studio. this little nook is very different from the rest of the public areas of the house because it is slightly closed off by the book shelf to the left, but it is still open to the common area. i feel that this area is made even more private by the light coming in from the clerestory window sending a very direct ray down to the sofa. you probably wouldn't want to sit directly in that ray, but i think sitting right next to it curled up with a book would make for a very comfortable, warm, personal space without completely closing you off from the other room and your family. the spot of sun on the sofa would almost act as a personal little fireplace/campfire providing nice light and added warmth.
the third characteristic of light that truly fascinates me is how reflective light can change visual perception, sometimes drastically. we've all experienced it, and i'm sure w
e've all said something along the lines of, "this mirror makes me look fat/skinny/short/..." that is not exactly what interests me about reflective light, but the more subtle nature of it. in this third photograph, you are looking at the mirrored glass facade of some commercial structure in hong kong. but what you really see is the low-income housing next door to the mirrored building warpedly reflecting in the stripes of colored glass. the effect is something beautiful and markedly disturbing. the photographer, phil holden, has used the distorting effects of reflected light to enhance the artistic quality of this photo. i would like to explore those same possibilities to enhance the experience of interior spaces.
to explore further. one of these topics is that light can be associated with other senses than sight and touch (heat). certain light/color combinations and intensities can spark something in the brain that appeal to smell, taste, and sound as well. the first photo that i'm showing here really exudes a sound track to me. at the bottom of the photo where the light is very bright gold/yellow, i can hear the sounds of the street: conversations, laughter, bellows, automobiles honking, breaks squealing... but as my eyes move up the buildings toward the sky, the brightness fades and with it i can hear all of the sounds fade until all i hear is the wind at the top of the skyscrapers. the intensity of the bottom transforms into a kind of serenity at the top, which is accentuated by the faint blue glow of late dusk. this photograph is courtesy of phil holden .the second picture, to me, shows how focal light can make a space feel personal and almost private without putting up physical barriers. you see this in restaurants a lot when there is a faint spot light over a table. i think it has something to do with human nature in that we are drawn to light
and, therefore, the close proximity to a light is more comfortable than the area outside the light. kind of like a campfire in a really dark field. you just feel safer and more comfortable near the light. so, i took this photo @ the loewenstein residence last semester when working in the exhibit design studio. this little nook is very different from the rest of the public areas of the house because it is slightly closed off by the book shelf to the left, but it is still open to the common area. i feel that this area is made even more private by the light coming in from the clerestory window sending a very direct ray down to the sofa. you probably wouldn't want to sit directly in that ray, but i think sitting right next to it curled up with a book would make for a very comfortable, warm, personal space without completely closing you off from the other room and your family. the spot of sun on the sofa would almost act as a personal little fireplace/campfire providing nice light and added warmth.the third characteristic of light that truly fascinates me is how reflective light can change visual perception, sometimes drastically. we've all experienced it, and i'm sure w
e've all said something along the lines of, "this mirror makes me look fat/skinny/short/..." that is not exactly what interests me about reflective light, but the more subtle nature of it. in this third photograph, you are looking at the mirrored glass facade of some commercial structure in hong kong. but what you really see is the low-income housing next door to the mirrored building warpedly reflecting in the stripes of colored glass. the effect is something beautiful and markedly disturbing. the photographer, phil holden, has used the distorting effects of reflected light to enhance the artistic quality of this photo. i would like to explore those same possibilities to enhance the experience of interior spaces.