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"LiGHT 24 is not just for lighting designers," remarks Helen Ankers, managing editor of [d]arc media. "We value bringing together inspiring leaders and passionate people to share ideas and solutions to grow the future of the entire industry." Organised by [d]arc media, LiGHT 24 is the third edition of the UK's only dedicated lighting exhibition, which will take place on November 20 - 21, 2024, at the Business Design Centre in London. Bringing together professionals from architecture, interior design, lighting design and several other creative disciplines, the light expo promises to provide an experiential setting for its visitors.
As a media partner, STIR reveals the upcoming design festival's two-day itinerary and sheds light on its highly anticipated art installation by British artist Frankie Boyle. "There's something for everyone at LiGHT 24," as the organisers promise.
The Stockport-based publishing company [d]arc media's arc magazine and darc magazine are leading international platforms dedicated to architectural lighting and decorative lighting in architecture and interior design. Along with the LiGHT event, it also organises [d]arc awards to celebrate the best of lighting design and the networking event [d]arc sessions for specifiers and suppliers in the lighting industry.
In association with the US-based lighting control specialist company Lutron, the design event will feature an exclusive [d]arc thoughts talks programme, curated and moderated by the [d]arc media editorial team, where over 30 design experts from several industries一including lighting, interior design, architecture, specification and manufacturing一will engage in discourse regarding various matters such as sustainable and human-centric interiors and lighting design.
The Associations Lounge programme will feature talks by several industry associations and panel discussions in collaboration with the digital community Women in Lighting and the lighting control organisation DALI Alliance. Additionally, the Silhouette Awards will provide educational insights and networking opportunities among the design community through discussions, presentations and photo opportunities.
Day one of the design event will feature a set of talks on the Business of Design theme including The Next Generation of Design, which will be moderated by Samta Nadeem, curatorial director of STIR, and the speakers panel will consist of engineering and design consulting firm WSP's growth director Sacha Abizadeh and London-based practice MSLD's lighting designers Tiziana Regalado and Isabelle Lane.
The founder of ASlight, Anna Sbokou, MSLD's founder Marcus Steffen, Artin Light's founder Luke Artingstall and Hoare Lea's project director Juan Ferrari will be the speakers for the talks Introducing: Business of Light, Time to Step Up: The role of a lighting designer, Taking the Leap and The Value of Light - AI Takeaway, respectively. Following the Light + Interiors discussions, LiGHT 24's featured artist Frankie Boyle will talk about the inspiration and creative process behind her Intra-spectrum experiential art installation and engage in a Q&A session with Ankers.
An experiential creative director and UK-based neurodivergent visual artist, Boyle specialises in creating an immersive experience through experiential design that expertly utilises lighting and colour theory. Aspiring to evoke emotions of nostalgia, connection and introspection, her Intra-spectrum light art installation will adorn the entrance and the transitional space between the main exhibition space and the conference room.
"I want people to immerse themselves within the light that we shine and the light that we hold within through an array of beautiful invigorating colours," Boyle shares. The light installation is sponsored by formalighting, the Italian architectural lighting manufacturing company specialising in illuminating art galleries and museums, which will provide technical solutions to realise Boyle's concept. "For anyone experiencing this installation, I would want them to connect to their inner selves and to have the opportunity to just be present, to find that pause, to stop, stare and immerse," says Boyle, in anticipation of Intra-spectrum's reveal at LiGHT 2024.
Day two of the design fair will focus on the theme of Designing for People and the Planet, which will be further categorised into sustainability, wellness and environment-centric designs. The design talks will span topics such as well-being in residential environments, lighting design for neurodiverse populations, environmental assessment landscape in the lighting industry, outdoor lighting solutions based on the Starlight certification, sea turtle conservation pilot project through interdisciplinary collaboration and design solutions to tackle increasing light pollution.
The LiGHT Lunch section of the day will facilitate interactions of the visitors with representatives from women's groups such as Women in Architecture, Women in Design, Women in Lighting, and others from the fields including furniture design, lighting and workplace design, learning about women empowerment initiatives and the importance of women's groups in the industries.
Apart from the talks programme, LiGHT 24's decorative+design theme will set up a lighting design exhibition in a hall called the [d]arc space, where lighting brands including Italy-based Davide Groppi and Penta Light will showcase their latest lighting collections.
Additionally, the LiGHT Work area will facilitate a co-working environment for people who might need it during the event. LiGHT 24 redefines the standard format of a trade fair by providing ample opportunities for formal and informal interactions for the visitors, offering an emotional and immersive experience through visual art installations and adapting to the needs of the visitors that encourages them to attend the entire two-day design festivities centred on light.
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