The Phenomenology of Light—and Dark

A compilation of 109 original texts explores the nuances of light as an artistic medium.

1 MIN READ

Minja Smajic


You Say Light—I Think Shadow (2014, Art and Theory Publishing) is a compilation of 109 original texts by leading designers in the fields of art, architecture, design, literature, film, theater, and photography on the subject of light and dark. The project was conceived and realized by Stockholm-based artist Aleksandra Stratimirovic and graphic designer Sandra Praun.

You Say Light - I Think Shadow is a book project conceptualized and visualized by artist Aleksandra Stratimiroviv (left) and graphic designer Sandra Praun (right).

Elisabeth Toll

You Say Light – I Think Shadow is a book project conceptualized and visualized by artist Aleksandra Stratimiroviv (left) and graphic designer Sandra Praun (right).


Funding for the limited print run of 2,000 was made available by L-RO (Lighting-Related Organizations) as part of the UNESCO International Year of Light and Light Based Technologies 2015. Each of the entries incorporates a personal reflection by a noted designer. Stratimirovic and Praun weave the individual texts together in a specific order, and through a visually dynamic use of font, graphics, paper selection, and layout, they create a conversation between the participating designers and a broader dialogue with the reader about the intrinsic nuances of light as an artistic medium. •

Lighting designer Charles Stone, principal of New York-based lighting firm Fisher Marantz Stone, is one of the participants in the project.

Robin Hayes

Lighting designer Charles Stone, principal of New York-based lighting firm Fisher Marantz Stone, is one of the participants in the project.

Tokyo-based lighting designer Kaoru Mende, principal of Lighting Planners Associates, is one of the project participants. His text entry is titled "The Nature of Shadow in the Visual World."

Robin Hayes

Tokyo-based lighting designer Kaoru Mende, principal of Lighting Planners Associates, is one of the project participants. His text entry is titled "The Nature of Shadow in the Visual World."

Snøhetta Architects' entry discusses the Lascaux Caves museum in France.

Robin Hayes

Snøhetta Architects' entry discusses the Lascaux Caves museum in France.

For his project entry, artist Valentin Ruhry asks: What is light?

Robin Hayes

For his project entry, artist Valentin Ruhry asks: What is light?

About the Author

Elizabeth Donoff

Elizabeth Donoff is Editor-at-Large of Architectural Lighting (AL). She served as Editor-in-Chief from 2006 to 2017. She joined the editorial team in 2003 and is a leading voice in the lighting community speaking at industry events such as Lightfair and the International Association of Lighting Designers Annual Enlighten Conference, and has twice served as a judge for the Illuminating Engineering Society New York City Section’s (IESNYC) Lumen Award program. In 2009, she received the Brilliance Award from the IESNYC for dedicated service and contribution to the New York City lighting community. Over the past 11 years, under her editorial direction, Architectural Lighting has received a number of prestigious B2B journalism awards. In 2017, Architectural Lighting was a Top Ten Finalist for Magazine of the Year from the American Society of Business Publication Editors' AZBEE Awards. In 2016, Donoff received the Jesse H. Neal Award for her Editor’s Comments in the category of Best Commentary/Blog, and in 2015, AL received a Jesse H. Neal Award for Best Media Brand (Overall Editorial Excellence).Prior to her entry into design journalism, Donoff worked in New York City architectural offices including FXFowle where she was part of the project teams for the Reuters Building at Three Times Square and the New York Times Headquarters. She is a graduate of Bates College in Lewiston, Me., and she earned her Master of Architecture degree from the School of Architecture at Washington University in St. Louis.

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