| Studio & Theatre |
Pro-Light-News
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| On a very cold December 13th 2001 a group of young architects and lighting students, along with other lighting industry professionals from the region, gathered at the University of Innsbruck's School of Architecture to hear one of the lighting industry's top lighting designers.
Canadian Luc LaFortune, the man behind the lighting design of Cirque du Soleil, among other projects, was on hand to share more than just his knowledge of lighting design, but to provide inspiration as well. "This was not a teaching opportunity per say," commented Luc, "but a chance to share my experiences and thoughts, a chance to engage the audience in a discussion of lighting in the industry." "I find that many young lighting students know the fixtures quite well but have missed out on the design aspect and inspirational aspects of lighting. Many of them have been taught outdated theories that have more to do with illumination and little to do with design. I want to present the possibility of more abstract concepts and designs in lighting. We need to create real, inspired designers and not just lighting technicians." With an audience of young architects and lighting students before him, Luc's premise was to convey to students the power of lighting. Many of those students came to the seminar with their own lighting design projects, which Luc had the opportunity to comment on. "What I present or comment is not the absolute truth," he says. "I just want to share my opinions and knowledge with people and hopefully provide a bit of inspiration." Meanwhile, outside the University, in the numbing December cold, attendees could witness first hand the power of light as some 25 Martin Exterior 600 fixtures illuminated the buildings façade. |