Impact Assessment Plan

Social impact

Today, over half the world’s population live in cities. According to research from the UN, 2.5 billion more people will be living in cities by 2050.[6] By focusing on the light pollution within my own house, I hope to draw attention to the extent that artificial light invades our most intimate of spaces, our homes where it disrupts the human circadian rhythm leading to significant physical and psychological problems that are only just beginning to be understood.[7]

Directly connected with overpopulation, errant light pollution also mortally affects migrating birds, fish, bats, sea turtles and other wildlife. It is also a contributing factor in the decline of insect populations, and consequently invaluable ecosystems.

I hope that through my exhibition, I will be able to invite a targeted audience (i.e. members of the local councils/committees) into my own home, which will convey the personal and intimate nature of light pollution and intrusion. I will be able to display the artworks for a long as necessary as I am not beholden to working within a commercial gallery space.

Hopefully with positive press coverage, social media engagement and exposure in industry publications, the exhibition will generate interest and awareness in a subject that is such a threat to both our health and that of our environment.

6. Source: UN News. Available at: https://www.un.org/en/desa/around-25-billion-more-people-will-be-living-cities-2050-projects-new-un-report [accessed 8 June 2023].

For more information visit: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5897701.