Jiang Naiqun
(Shenzhen Chuangxian Lighting Technology Co., Ltd.)
Abstract: The Monza lighting method is specifically designed to enhance the experience of both museum audiences and cultural relics experts. Drawing on the principles of mirror neurons and neuro-aesthetics, it utilizes advanced LED technology and unique lighting techniques to support the appreciation of ancient oil paintings.
Key words: Monza illumination method; mirror neuron; neuro-aesthetics; cool white light; warm white light
After developing the Monza Method for the appreciation of ancient paintings, with support from the World Heritage Fund (WHF) and the European Lighting Design Convention (PLDC), Italian lighting designers Francesco Iannone and Serena Tellini have been promoting this innovative technique across Europe and Singapore.
The significance of studying the Monza lighting method lies in its alignment with several high-tech services listed in the "2017 State-Supported High-Tech Field Catalogue." Specifically, it relates to cultural and creative industry supporting technologies as well as cultural heritage discovery and reuse technologies. Among these, it includes "support technology for the discovery, protection, restoration, identification, and original authentication of cultural relics." There is no doubt that the Monza lighting method falls under one of these key supporting technologies, and its development has received state backing.
In June of this year, PLDC hosted a three-day event titled "Immersive Art" at the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, Austria. This included a Monza Lighting Workshop and seminars. I was invited to participate, alongside representatives from Germany, France, Singapore, the U.S., South Korea, and Austria, as well as cultural relics experts, university professors, and lighting designers. Figures 1 and 2 illustrate the event.
Figure 1 PLDC hosts Austrian Vienna lighting workstations and seminars
Figure 2 Austrian Museum of Art History, Austria
During the workshop, participants were divided into eight groups to improve the lighting effects of eight ancient paintings using the Monza method under the guidance of Francesco and Selena. I was part of Group 3, working with Italian representative Dario Maccheroni to enhance the lighting of "The Miracles of St. Francis" by Peter Paul Rubens. The lighting effect of St. Francis Xavier is shown in Figure 3. The third group's operation report is included in Annex 1.
The final presentation by Francesco and Selena is depicted in Figure 4, where they discussed the invention of the Monza lighting method. Annex 2 contains their speech.
Figure 3 (left) The miracle of the ancient painting St. Francis, the real effect of the template lighting effect
Figure 4 (right) Francisco and Selena are speaking on Monza Lighting
The Monza lighting method is based on the theory of mirror neurons and neuro-aesthetics, aiming to serve both the audience and cultural relics experts in museums. The core of implementing the Monza illumination method involves selectively projecting white light of different color temperatures and intensities from the bottom of the audience toward the ancient paintings. Before implementation, the lighting designer analyzes the colors and their distribution on the ancient artwork. Then, using the most advanced LED equipment, warm white (3000–3500K), neutral white (4000–5500K), or cool white (5500–7500K) lights are used for different areas of the painting. The angle, placement area, and intensity of the lighting are carefully selected, as seen in Figure 5.
Figure 5: Monza lighting method workstation operation, setting of different types of LED track lights
Thanks to the improved lighting effects, ancient paintings appear more vivid and clear to the audience, allowing the stories behind them to leave a deeper impression. For cultural relics experts, better lighting also facilitates more detailed research on the artworks.
The Monza lighting method uses LED track lights to make full use of the space between ancient paintings and guardrails, testing and finding the best lighting solution. Based on this, lighting designers and museum staff can design new fixed or movable guardrails that hide LED track lights, power cables, infrared sensors, automatic lamp switches, and even cameras for monitoring and protection.
Following the success of the Vienna lighting workshops and seminars, PLDC will hold a global lighting design conference in Paris from November 1st to 4th this year. The conference will involve 38 universities and over 50 multinational companies worldwide. Topics will cover cultural heritage lighting, urban lighting, education, and more, as shown in Figure 6.
Figure 6 PLDC held Paris meeting on November 1-4, 2017
At the conference, Francesco and Selena will deliver a speech titled “Lessons Learned,†scheduled for Thursday, November 2, 2017, at 12:15 PM. Later, Alberto Pasetti from Italy will present a talk on “How Neurosciences Affect Lighting Design and Visual Perception.â€
[Annex 1] Jiang Naiqun, Dolly McLoni. The Miracle of St. Francis, Template. In-depth Art Workstation Work. 2017.06.22
170729F Annex I goes deep into the art workstation job.ppt
[Annex 2] Francesco, Selena. Monza Lighting Law. 2017.06.22
170729F Annex II Monza Lighting Method.doc
References
[1] Su Xiaomeng. Analysis of the current situation of museum lighting and improvement design research [J]. China Lighting Appliances, 2009(8) 7-11
[2] Alison Ritter, Targetti, Frascoco Iannone. Lighting Works of Art by Titian [J]. Professional Lighting Design, 2013, 87.
[3] Jiang Naiqun. A preliminary study on the appreciation of ancient paintings[J]. Proceedings of the 2015 China Lighting Forum, 210-219
[4] Dang Rui, Wang Lixiong, Liu Gang. Research on Key Issues in Protective Lighting of Cultural Relics[J]. Journal of Lighting Engineering, 2013.10 Suppl. 122-126
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