A graphical mapping of how light is used in theatre
This treatise analysis what functions light has in theater. It was inspired by Rosalinda Krauss
essay Sculpture in the Expanded Field but builds mostly on the following three books
Linda Essig Lighting and the design idea (2nd ed), Nigel H. Morgan Stage lighting for
theater designers and Francis Reid The stage lighting handbook (6th ed). It discovers nine
unique functions of light (performance style, dramatic style, image,illumination, 3D
space, 3D form, selectivity, environment, atmosphere) and develops a graphical mapping
of them based on a mapping by Reid. The functions performance style, dramatic style,
image are superior the others. Some light functions are more closely related than others
and the different functions can easily be misunderstood.
The functions performance style and dramatic style (or just style) are especially difficult
to understand and map out. Environment and atmosphere are two functions that is in
opposition to one another and it would be interesting to make an expansion around these
set of terms by using Krauss theories.