Decorative Lighting

Abstract

Decorative lighting is not so much a practice in itself as an essential component of any lighting scheme. The word “decorative” is misleading in that it implies ornament, whereas, in point of fact, the decorative component of lighting may be only a matter of simplification; indeed, the modern tendency appears to be towards the avoidance of lighting “decoration” and the substitution of lighting harmony.

The paper contends that, approached in this way, decorative lighting can be analysed in a manner impossible if it were considered to be purely an artistic function. With the aid of such analysis, this aspect of illuminating engineering can be brought within the scope of a great number of lighting engineers who might otherwise feel unqualified to tackle those lighting problems in which decoration is of great importance.

The approach to the decorative component must take the form of a search for harmony, firstly in relation to the prevailing human emotion of those for whom the lighting is designed and secondly in relation to the architectural characteristics of the space under treatment.

The paper terminates with a detailed description of a particular installation, showing how the above reasoning was applied.