The Contribution of the Soviet “Kinetic” Art of the 1960s‑1970s to the Development of the Theory and Practice of Architectural Lighting Technology

Abstract

The paper analyses the original works in the field of architectural light and engineering belonging to the most prominent representatives of the domestic kinetic art of the 1960s (F. Infante, V.F. Koleichuk, L.N. Nusberg, as well as A. Lanin and B.M. Galeev). The conceptual basis of these works is revealed including a special attitude to light as a unique physical phenomenon and, at the same time, the most important component of a new architectural and artistic language. The practical value of the projects of special dynamic lighting of art objects, interiors of exhibition spaces, individual architectural objects and the urban environment as a whole, proposed by these authors and partly implemented by them, is revealed. It is shown in what way and for what purpose this type of synthetic art was formed at the intersection of architecture, design and engineering, which made a significant contribution to the development of both the theory and practice of architectural light engineering. In conclusion, the idea is expressed about the importance of using the considered historical experience at the present time, when every year new technical possibilities appear for creating an expressive light-colour environment, but deep content, philosophical and theoretical foundations for its design, which inspired the masters who stood at the origins of this the most important architectural and artistic direction, are lost.