Lighting the Future illuminates at the Southbank Centre

Part of the Southbank Centre’s Light and Dark series, the Lighting the Future talk was an interesting and compassionate discussion on how we use light in urban environments. 

Offering their spectrum of thoughts were three speakers, all of whom were experts in the light industry. The first speaker, Mark Major (director of Speirs + Major), stated that the intention of the evening was to “better our understanding of lights in the city,” and to form the basis for “intelligent conversations about different cultures’ interpretation of light.”

What ensued was a two-hour talk about different aspects of urban lighting that was educating and included some very interesting divergences. Major’s discussions revolved around the use of light in a social capacity, and how there are already plans for controlling light through social networking. He also talked about the importance of what he called “night-time economy”, and how it could stimulate Britain’s economy through savings on electricity overused during the night.

Adam Kassa spoke second, discussing lights as cultural phenomena and the LED revolution. The most intriguing aspect of his discussion was his own campaign, Theatrum Mundi/Global Street, which aims to modernise the ways in which we use light through working with architects and performing artists.

Finally the British Astronomical Association’s Campaign for Dark Skies coordinator Bob Mizon took to the stage and ended speaking about light pollution and the geo-politics of light usage in impoverished areas of the city.

The Southbank proved to be the ideal location for this educational and enthralling discussion; the magnificence of the lights along the river perfectly reinforced the words of all three speakers. The talks inspired reflection on the importance of lights, as well as their cultural implications and what they might do for us in the future.  Lighting the Future sheds light on a subject which we ought to consider more carefully. It will certainly keep you thinking long after dark.

Verdict: ••••

Conor Nyhan

Lighting the Future was part of the Light and Dark series at the Southbank, for further information visit here.