THE FOLLOWING pieces centre on the narrative powers of light, its ability to help tell the story or history of a space, or provide dramatic moments on the journey through it. Lighting both suggests and underlines – through highlighting, shadow, reflection, colour or level – the path that should be followed or the key features to notice and note.
It also conveys the story of a setting, its brand or aspirations, fusing with the interior design to express a
message or address a particular demographic. It can create atmosphere and stir emotions, it can shout loudly or talk in muted tones. Lighting, in other words, is a powerful tool of communication.
‘We always say that for each lighting project a story can be told,’ says project leader Federica Cammarota of Studioillumina, responsible for the new lighting of the renovated Basilica Cistern in Istanbul, describing the scheme as a ‘sublime narration of emotions and light’.