curated by
my light
Paul Nulty Nulty What is your chosen feature?
I love light. Quite literally everything about it; the impact it has on one’s psychology, physiology and wellbeing, and the way it influences quality of life on a broader, sociological level. The beauty of light is captivating. No matter how much artificial lighting technology evolves, nothing comes close to the beauty, wonder and dynamism of natural light. I’m lucky to live in a villa in the Middle East, where a deep red sunrise creeps through the curtains into my bedroom each morning and rises higher in the sky to become strong, direct sunlight that dances across a tree in the garden, creating dynamic, dappled patterns of light on my bed and walls. It is special to me because it encapsulates the ethereal and ephemeral quality of light that I love so much. A reminder that light is both emotional and spiritual. Each dawn heralds a new day full of hope, energy and excitement, while triggering childhood memories such as summer camping or playing in my local park. Natural light has the capacity to trigger an emotional response, even in the smallest, most everyday moments.
Where can it be found in your home?
The tree sits just outside my bedroom window, and as the light passes through the leaves, it creates a soft, dappled effect across the room.
When do you use/experience it?
I experience it every morning as I wake up and begin the day.
How does it make you feel?
Optimistic, grateful and inspired. Optimistic, because it’s a daily reminder of the beauty of light in its purest form. Grateful, because I get to spend so much of my time thinking about and playing with light. Inspired, because while I am constantly searching for creative and innovative ways to master the medium of light, natural light is, and always will be, the ultimate muse.
Why does it have meaning to you?
The poetic and spiritual quality of light is something we need to keep coming back to. In the mêlée of project work, so much of a lighting designer’s focus is on sustainability, efficiency and technical detail. It is easy to lose sight of the emotional and spiritual connection with light. Moments like these, when we are connected to nature, remind us of the hope and energy that comes with the start of a new day – something we all need, especially in a world that feels increasingly complex and overwhelming. www.nultylighting.co.uk
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Image: Paul Nulty