Description
Using case studies, such as the use of candlelight and energy saving lightbulbs in Denmark, this book unravels light's place at the heart of social life. In contrast to common perception of light as a technical and aesthetic phenomenon, Mikkel Bille argues that there is a cultural and social logic to lighting practices. By empirically investigating the social role of lighting in people's everyday lives, Mikkel Bille reveals how and why people visually shape their homes. Moving beyond the impact of its use, Bille also comments on the politics of lighting to examine how ideas of pollution and home act as barriers for technological fixes to curb energy demand. Attitudes to these issues are reflective of how human perceptions and practices are central to the efforts to cope with climate change. This ethnographic study is a must-read for students of anthropology, cultural studies, human geography, sociology and design.
An investigation of the social role of lighting in people's everyday lives: on how people use lighting as a key component in defining social identity, homeliness, and what 'good lighting' means from an anthropological perspective.
About the Author
Mikkel Bille is Associate Professor at Roskilde University, Denmark.
Reviews
Profoundly illuminating. This book sets a new standard for work in the anthropology of atmospheres and sensory studies. * DAVID HOWES, Concordia University, Canada *
An engaging, authoritative and highly original study of light, atmosphere and affect. It is at the same time an impassioned and robust argument for the field Mikkel Bille has been so central in founding: the socio-cultural understanding of how people construct and perform their social lives not just in light but with light. * DON SLATER, London School of Economics, University of London, UK *
Mikkel Bille's theoretical and ethnographic investigation makes a significant advance towards offering a new vision of the personal, societal and environmental implications of how people live with light. * SARAH PINK, RMIT University, Australia *
In expanding anthropological understanding about illumination, Mikkel Bille has produced a fascinating account of homely atmospheres, technological incompetence and the intense sociality of lighting. This highly readable, compelling and timely book is both provocative and authoritative. * TIMOTHY EDENSOR, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK *
Book Information
ISBN 9781350057180
Author Mikkel Bille
Format Hardback
Page Count 192
Imprint Bloomsbury Academic
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 980g
An investigation of the social role of lighting in people's everyday lives: on how people use lighting as a key component in defining social identity, homeliness, and what 'good lighting' means from an anthropological perspective.
About the Author
Mikkel Bille is Associate Professor at Roskilde University, Denmark.
Reviews
Profoundly illuminating. This book sets a new standard for work in the anthropology of atmospheres and sensory studies. * DAVID HOWES, Concordia University, Canada *
An engaging, authoritative and highly original study of light, atmosphere and affect. It is at the same time an impassioned and robust argument for the field Mikkel Bille has been so central in founding: the socio-cultural understanding of how people construct and perform their social lives not just in light but with light. * DON SLATER, London School of Economics, University of London, UK *
Mikkel Bille's theoretical and ethnographic investigation makes a significant advance towards offering a new vision of the personal, societal and environmental implications of how people live with light. * SARAH PINK, RMIT University, Australia *
In expanding anthropological understanding about illumination, Mikkel Bille has produced a fascinating account of homely atmospheres, technological incompetence and the intense sociality of lighting. This highly readable, compelling and timely book is both provocative and authoritative. * TIMOTHY EDENSOR, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK *
Book Information
ISBN 9781350057180
Author Mikkel Bille
Format Hardback
Page Count 192
Imprint Bloomsbury Academic
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 980g
