The New Lighting of Marciana National Library of Venice. 1537 AD

The Marciana Library in Venice is one of the most important libraries in the world and among the oldest. Inside are kept masterpieces of Italian art such as works by Titian, Tintoretto and Paolo Veronese .
The project was set on a Museum Scale and an Emotional Scale. It allows for visitors to explore what is physically present while also evoking emotion and sensations. The aim is to create a deeply emotional experience for visitors that will long be remembered. The museum becomes theatre.
The lighting scheme has been created to allow visitors to fully immerse themselves in the history of the piece and be carried away on a journey into the world of knowledge.

The lighting physically enhances the architecture of the piece supporting a holistic experience for visitors. Through the automated system of visual scenarios, and perspective guidance through the light itself, visitors can discover and admire the sixteenth century architecture through targeted focuses, before diving into the masterpieces.

The uniqueness of this library had to emerge but above all Knowledge, which is the basic element of a place like this. Not surprisingly, Titian painted La Sapienza on the vault of the Vestibule. I wanted lighting to be not only a means of enhancement but a manifestation of the Light of Knowledge. Of the light that illuminates the minds. In the sixteenth century the light of knowledge had divine origins and therefore the light, thanks to the scenarios created, "appears" magically.
I also wanted to create lighting that was new for museums, which could make them magical places and not just "archives" of works of art. The light that changes over time was the solution.

It is a new way of understanding the lighting of museums.
One of the most exciting elements of this project is how it has reshaped the understanding of museum lighting. Commonly, historical museums can be old-fashioned, with no attention paid to the enhancement of the emotional aspect of the visit. The lighting often only serves to showcase the exhibited works, and sometimes this can be poorly done.
In this new way of thinking, a museum is not only the works on display, but also a living place with a history that oozes from the architecture. To achieve this, it is necessary to bring out the hidden but intriguing elements of the works and the space itself. A carefully crafted lighting design can create a narrative and profound experience, not just the highlighting of artwork. It brings together the lighting of the exhibition and the enhancement of the pieces, with the overall atmosphere and experience for visitors.

Production SRB ARTS