”I started working as a light technician ten years ago. Back then this kind of music-light- experience integration was part of the rave-related underground scene. Today it’s entertainment for the general public – it's the pop music of our time”, Alexander Hesse says.
At the time, future DJ-stars like Kygo, David Guetta and Avicii had just started off their careers – Alexander discretely admitting that he’s worked with ”most of them”.
”It’s been teamwork all the way, with friends and colleagues specialising in different disciplines. Together with the artists we’ve explored the creative possibilities of our mediums, taking their performances to the next level”, he says.
No matter if it's a one off show or a mega dance festival – the crowd is there to be entertained.
”Traditionally, if you’re going to a concert with, for example, Bruce Springsteen, you’re there to see and to hear The Boss. That’s it and you’re happy with that. But when attending this kind of event, you’re not there for the artist only – you want more. You want lights, moving pictures, special effects and pyrotechnics. You want an experience that blows your mind. That’s why I don’t call them DJs, I see them as producers and directors”, Alexander says.
Coordinated lighting is the key to the EDM-genre. Music and lights are to be perfectly synchronized, facilitated by the digital format and demanding advanced programming. Lighting and other effects are carefully orchestrated to enhance the music and it’s elements. Shows are directed and programmed by Alexander and his colleagues in the production team. The creative lighting design process takes place in close cooperation with the artist.
”We usually start with a creative meeting, discussing the artist’s vision. It’s an incubation process where I show pictures and movies from other performances and introduce new ideas and concepts. I usually draw my projects in CASTs Wysiwyg, allowing me to programme the lighting in a sartorial environment, complete with stage and everything. I edit in Photoshop and I also work with Vectorworks and SketchUp”, he explains.
The rampant development of LED technology has brought new possibilities to create spectacular light shows. When directing Kygo’s two-night sell out at the famous Hollywood Bowl, Alexander had 188 moving LED fixtures in action dispersed over flown trusses.
”LED has made it possible to use both fixed and moving fixtures in an innovative way. With its high output and low weight, LED fixtures allow me to work with a large number of luminaires and high effects, and its still manageable. Creating these effects with traditional fixtures was impossible. They were too heavy to handle – and trussing was out of the question”, he says.
”Also, LED walls have developed a lot over the last ten years. They have extremely good resolution, they are much larger and you can work with them in a completely different way." Alexander Hesse, Lighting designer and Director
Integrating the audience is a matter of course – and gone are old-fashioned lighters and smart phone flashlights. Interactive LED-wristbands are the hottest accessory.
”For Kygo’s show in LA, we used interactive LED wristbands. The wristbands, handed out to the audience on arrival, were controlled by an infrared signal to synchronize with the music”, he says.
So, where to head to have that mind-blowing EDM-experience?
”Of course, I’d say a Kygo-concert – or one of the many festivals worldwide like Amsterdam Dance Event, EDC Music Festival or Ultra. All the events taking place during Ibiza’s summertime are great. For a more traditional band experience? Coldplay. They tick all the boxes", Alexander concludes.
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Light is essential in our daily lives, influencing our ability to see, overall well-being and performance. In educational environments, lighting quality can significantly impact students' focus, mood, and energy levels. So, how do we know what is the right amount and quality of light for this setting? Traditionally, light has been measured in lux, a unit of measurement for the intensity of light. It's used to measure how much light falls on a surface or the amount of light in a given space. One lux is the amount of light that falls on a surface that is one square meter in area when one lumen of light is spread out evenly. Recent advancements in research have unveiled the importance of melanopic lux, which goes beyond mere visibility. This measures how effectively light stimulates specific eye cells that regulate crucial non-visual functions such as sleep and alertness. 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Effective lighting design carefully considers brightness, timing, and distribution to support visual clarity and biological functions like mood and alertness. For example, exposure to bright light in the morning helps regulate circadian rhythms, boosting alertness and mitigating the effects of seasonal darkness. This is particularly important in educational environments, such as schools and universities, where lighting impacts mood, focus, and overall performance. Our Organic Response system provides an innovative solution tailored for these spaces. This smart lighting technology automatically optimises light levels, featuring daylight-responsive sensors and advanced occupancy detection, maintaining a balance between natural and artificial light. Doing so supports visual comfort and reduces energy consumption, making it an ideal choice for creating dynamic, efficient, and student-friendly learning environments. To further support students, well-lit spaces with minimal glare are essential for reducing eye strain and maintaining focus during extended study sessions. Adjusting light intensity and colour temperature for different tasks—such as reading, group discussions, or creative activities—enhances light's visual and non-visual effects. By integrating thoughtful lighting strategies like those offered by Organic Response, educational environments can promote healthier, more productive, and engaging learning experiences. Integrative lighting: Supporting health and well-being. Integrative lighting (also referred to as human-centred lighting) combines visual and non-visual benefits (such as emotional effects) to support biological rhythms and psychological well-being. This approach goes beyond traditional lighting solutions by considering how light impacts circadian rhythms and hormonal balance. Light exposure in the morning is critical for suppressing melatonin (the sleep hormone) and increasing cortisol (the alertness hormone). Proper timing helps align students' natural rhythms with school schedules, which often require a lot of focus. Consistent exposure to bright, cool light early in the day can enhance energy levels and cognitive performance. The melanopic ratio compares the spectral composition of a light source with daylight. Using this information, you can determine its melanopic lighting intensity. This enables the design of lighting setups that precisely meet both visual and biological lighting needs. Lighting recommendations for educational spaces Each learning environment has unique lighting needs. Libraries benefit from direct lighting on the floor, paired with ambient lighting on walls and ceilings. Vertical shelf lighting (200-300 lx) makes it easier to browse titles. Lecture halls, on the other hand, require glare-free, comfortable lighting with flexible control, ideally with pre-programmed scenarios. In auditoriums and classrooms, strong vertical lighting is crucial for clear visual communication, especially over greater distances, enhancing facial expressions and engagement. General lighting recommendations apply to all educational spaces. Our solutions meet industry standards, ensuring reading and writing areas maintain 500 lx for effective visual tasks. Using daylight-responsive sensors for luminaire rows can reduce energy consumption while maximising natural light. The number and arrangement of luminaires should be adjusted based on the room's size and function to ensure consistent illumination. The role of dynamic lighting A Double Dynamic lighting system can be a game-changer in educational environments. 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The inspiration behind Nobel Week Lights: ”Light, art and technology intertwined.”
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