LiGHT 23 REVIEW THE LIGHTING POLICE
The Lighting Police Concluding the [d]arc thoughts programme at LiGHT 23, The Lighting Police held its inaugural hands-on workshop, taking attendees on a tour of the surrounding area.
In a dynamic mix of lighting expertise and diverse professional backgrounds, the educational platform The Lighting Police (TLP) hosted its first in-person workshop as the closing activity of LiGHT 23. With a vibrant turnout of around 35 individuals, including the workshop heads Katia Kolovea, Gary Thornton, and James Poore, alongside collaborators from Helvar, the event created an excellent opportunity for constructive educational conversations focusing on observing and discussing lighting in urban spaces. The participants came from various fields, from the lighting industry – ranging from recent graduates to directors and engineers – to non-industry professionals such as health psychologists and railway transportation experts. This mix of backgrounds made the workshop diverse and interesting. The workshop’s core objectives were to observe the lighting landscape surrounding the event venue. Divided into three teams, participants engaged in discussions covering key aspects such as colour temperature, glare, luminaire fitting choices, installation, and the overall visual experience of the urban space, taking luminance and illuminance 108 / 109
measurements. The atmosphere was lively, with everyone contributing their insights during the walk and sparking constructive and sometimes controversial conversations. The workshop ended with a powerful moment when all three teams came together, wearing their brand new TLP hats and high-visibility jackets, to share feedback and applaud each other’s efforts. This collective celebration highlighted the success of TLP’s inaugural workshop. The findings from the workshop were similar among the teams, particularly on topics of glare, light spill on building façades from streetlights, and the interplay of colour temperature with different luminaire types. Notably, discussions around the main un-lit square of Angel district revealed intriguing perspectives – from concerns about safety, accessibility, intimidating contrast of street lighting, and more showcasing the various perspectives of people utilising those public spaces. Looking forward, The Lighting Police envisions taking these live walk-around workshop observations global. Leveraging advisory board members spread across 20+
countries and the project’s collaborators and supporters, TLP aims to engage local communities, making these workshops not only informative but also impactful in raising awareness about the significance of adequate and healthy lighting. Delighted with the workshop’s outcome and the invaluable feedback received, the TLP extends an open invitation to everyone interested, no matter their background, to reach out to our team and members and get on board. The platform aims to attract individuals who appreciate light, wish to deepen their understanding, and aspire to contribute to creating well-lit, inviting urban environments. Following the event, The Lighting Police said: “We would like to express our gratitude to our collaborators and supporters for making this happen! Thank you to the [d]arc media and LiGHT 23 team for the invitation and support, Studio Plus from our advisory board, for the great high-viz jackets and pins, and the Helvar team for aligning with our mission and supporting us in realising this unique workshop experience.” www.thelightingpolice.org