Fiat Lux - Towards a narrative of the evolution of Light Design in Architecture and Urbanism

Abstract

The present dissertation essays an ontological relationship between Light Design and Light. In establishing Light, for the Light Designer, as being simultaneously medium and arch-medium, it asks for an exercise engaging with determined theoretical traditions, as well as delving in the tensions arising in-between them. Firstly, the taxonomy in which the problem arrives begs for the engagement with media theory - the axis formed by Marshall McLuhan, in the 60´s, and Friedrich Kittler, in the 90´s, is employed in the exercise as theoretical framework to think the roles played by a medium and arch-medium. Secondly, and directly stemming from the problem above, to reflect on the dependency of humans upon technical apparatuses to produce light. It forces the present exercise to discuss the agency, or its lack, of the Designer over what mediates his production. Heidegger and his notion of tecnhé are here employed as hinge to retain the theoretical agency of the subject. In keeping the agency of light employment in the subject, as opposed to the medium itself, the exercise can then reflect on the modes of meaning available to light, independently of what produces it. Umberto Eco and his studies on semiotics serve as the investigatory pillar for the signification dimension of light. And thirdly, to reflect upon the disciplinary repercussions entailed by the theoretical decisions taken. The conclusion reached is that Light Design might be understood as a discipline governed by three dimensions: the narrative - consisting of what the subject pours into production; technicality - the dominium of the technical artefacts producing light; and techné - the know-how articulating the previous two.