Rising protests in recent years to address ecological, social and political issues have motivated activists to reflect their strategy of protest. In this connection light has become an attractive element to create striking images and videos to enhance press and social media communication. Different new forms have emerged. Previously using a sea of candles to show solidarity and to express unity has been replaced with bright LED flashlights from mobile phones. LED lit signs are more perceptible at night. Projection with graphics and text enable activists to underline their core messages or even to temporarily take possession of iconic landmarks. In fact, the luminous form of protest has allowed protestors to circumvent governmental restrictions like forbidding gatherings of large groups. The creative use of light to enhance protests was already visible in the Occupy Wall Street protest and has been evident in recent demonstrations regarding climate change, Black Lives Matter or the LGBT movement. Artists like Krzystof Wodiczko, Robin Bell, Jenny Holzer, Dustin Klein, The Illuminator collective and Joanie Lemercier have created projects in the recent years to address the rising social, ecological and political issues in the USA and Europe.
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Lectures
– KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm / Sweden, 15.10.2020
– Élat Lighting Initiative in Saskatoon / Canada, 12.2.2021
Selected events, artists and activists
Interesting social media channels of artists and activists:
- Alaa Minawi, Netherlands
- Articiclo, Mexico, Argentina
- Asolar, Argentina
- Backbone Campaign, USA
- Billboardhouse 2020, USA
- Coletivo Projetação, Brazil
- Delight Lab, Chile
- Dustin Klein, USA
- Gabriela Golder, Argentine
- Gabriela Prochazka, Czech Republic
- Greenpeace, Netherlands
- Guerilla Lighting, Germany
- Jenny Holzer, USA
- Joanie Lemercier, Belgium
- Krzysztof Wodiczko, USA
- La nueva Banda de La terraza, Colombia
- Led by Donkeys, United Kingdom
- Light Collective, United Kingdom
- Luzinterruptus, Spain
- Media Sana, Brazil
- Mobile Projection Unit, USA
- New York City Light Brigade, USA
- Ocean Rebellion, United Kingdom
- Overpass Light Brigade, USA
- Pixelhelper, Germany
- Projection in Protest, USA
- Projection Rebellion, United Kingdom
- Projetemos, Brazil
- Projeto falando pelas paredes, Brazil
- Proyectorazo, Argentina
- Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, Canada
- Robin Bell, USA
- Social Light Movement, United Kingdom
- Streetdente, Bogotá
- The Illuminator, USA
- Vecinas a los muros, Uruguay
- Vicki DaSilva, USA
- VJ Alexis, Brazil
- VJ Mozart, Brazil
- VJ Suave, Brazil