Between light and shadow: The impact of light augmentation on storytelling and audience engagement in urban, commercial and public spaces

The exploration of light as a transformative and narrative tool in urban spaces has been traced from its historical roots in the 1800s to its contemporary application in creating ‘spatial augmented realities’. This evolution has been examined through the lens of advanced light projection technologies, which have been used to craft compelling narratives and transform public and private spaces. The role of audience engagement in constructing these narratives has been investigated, highlighting the importance of participation and interaction in creating meaningful stories through light technologies. This exploration has led to developing a theoretical model for ‘accordant’ and ‘discordant’ audience responses, providing a framework to understand the spectrum of audience engagement and its impact on the success of light-based narratives. The concept of light projection mapping has been further elucidated, revealing its potential to expand and transform existing spaces through the superimposition of digital representations. This process has been defined, and its technical aspects have been discussed, providing a comprehensive understanding of its application in various settings. Light art has been categorized based on its narrative function and application, with examples drawn from events and festivals that utilize light projection to celebrate heritage or culture. These examples demonstrate light art’s versatility and multifaceted nature in creating memorable and meaningful experiences. The social implications of light projection mapping on monuments have been discussed, positioning it as a medium for audiences to reflect on historical events and their impact on the present. This exploration contributes to the understanding of how light can be used to enhance spaces, tell stories, and engage audiences in urban environments and provides a theoretical basis for future research and practice in the field of light art.