4.2.3. Interactive lighting

Light can interact with a public space on several levels. It has a practical use of navigating in the space and to create the environment of a safe and secure environment. The light is capable of setting a mood, it can manipulate and interact with the public domain and its users. A simple example is the streetlight at a bus stop, a solitary lamp solving a simple purpose, it illuminates the area, gives a sense of security and helps the approaching bus to see if anyone is waiting. At Kennedy Square in Aalborg (Figure4.5, picture 1) the simple streetlight changes character by connecting the streetlight to a network of computers and sensors. The city square becomes interactive and follows the movement of the users. The people at the square do not sense the interactivity as much as the people observing them from a distance. The light turns on and off through the sensors and help people navigate. The light intensity turns down when there is low activity and intensifies when sensors register the movement of by-passers. The users get the full experience of a comfortably lit square but do not notice the squares’ ability to save power when it is not needed and how it meets a concept as light pollution. (Poulsen, 2012)

Another effect of the square in Aalborg is the changing lights as an installation that sends waves of light over the site to give it a calm feeling and identity. In this case, it acts more like an installation and not just for pragmatic reasons. “The hypothesis was to make a playful illumination that engaged people in playful and creative situations”. The hypothesis of the square was to make an engaging environment by interactive lighting that has the ability to bring people together. By observing the users, several people noticed the changing lights and started to engage with them. People in transit also noticed, however, their purpose did not encourage them to engage as much”. (Poulsen,2012)

The power of light is acting as a medium for people to meet, from a candlelight to the modern interactive cityscape with integrated parametric lighting. Lighting has always been a constant for people to interact. “The smartest public lighting that I have seen facilitates and enhances social and cultural activity (…) is kindled by a network of living people” (Streatfield, 2020)

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Through the choreography and light, unforeseen meetings and interactions emerge between people. Since light can influence and even set the overall mood, people can step out of their comfort zone and start interacting with each other. “Public interaction is not mandatory and does not have to be forced, (…) it can turn the view of public interaction in social spaces to something more positive and encouraging for the people.” (Antic, 2019)

Communication strategies of interactive lighting can follow a certain set of rules, both within the intentional and the unintentional realm. “What I consider the basic area of research in interactive art are the strategies organizing fields of activity for the receivers-participants.” (Kluszczynski,2010) When communicating with something as abstract as light, it leaves room for different interpretations by its different users.

The intention of setting a mood will be perceived by the majority, how-

Figure 4.5 1. Kennedy Square Aalborg (AAU). 2. The Musicon Path Roskilde (Light Bureau). 3. Interference, Kolding (Kollision)