Electrifying Design

Exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, 21 February - 16 May, 2021,
then at the High Museum of Art, Atlanta, 19 June - 12 September, 2021

Offering the first comprehensive history of lighting design from the 20th and 21st centuries, this book explores how lighting has been integral to the development of modern design both in terms of aesthetics and technological advances. It outlines the key aspects of lighting as a unique and creative artistic discipline and examines themes such as different typologies, the quality of light, and the evolution of the bulb.

A series of essays showcase lighting designs from different time periods and geographic locations and feature the work of significant figures, including Poul Henningsen, Ingo Maurer, and Gino Sarfatti. With over 130 illustrations, a historical timeline, and comprehensive artist biographies, this volume expands the understanding of an understudied but influential art form and demonstrates lighting's central role in modern and contemporary design.