From the exhibition catalogue to the lighting concept
Illuminating and conserving art
Lighting of the exhibits in museums compliant to CIE 157:2004: Assignment of material categories for exhibits, determination of exposure factors with art and classification into lighting classes for exhibitions.
1. Determining the spectral sensitivity of works in a collection
According to their molecular structure, materials respond differently to the spectrum of a light source. Not all museums have the technology or financial resources to individually measure the spectral sensitivity of their artworks. As a consequence, the material categories in accordance with CIE 157:2004 support orientation and help as classification criteria.
2. Determining an acceptable level of exposure
An exposure can be assigned to the four material categories that specifies the point in time of a just perceptible modification in colour. This enables exhibition organisers to specify maximum exposures with light and therefore to control the conservation of their exhibits (cf. CIE 157:2004).
3. Classifying the type of lighting
Because strong changes in brightness impair the visual acuity of visitors, it is important to create a predefined lighting environment providing sufficient time for adaptation. Lighting classifications help to design and plan physical and visual correlations in an exhibition.
