Lost in the Light
Pier Elia Benetti
For centuries, the night sky has been a source of wonder, guiding civilizations, inspiring myths, and fueling discovery. Yet, in our contemporary world, we are slowly losing its significance without even realizing it. Light Pollution – the excessive and misdirected artificial light brightening our night skies – is a growing yet under-discussed issue. Its effects disrupt wildlife, interfere with human health and circadian rhythms, waste energy and resources, and lead to a profound cultural loss due to our slowly disappearing ability to connect with the universe.
This thesis seeks to raise awareness about the pervasive spread of light pollution within the local context of Trentino-Alto Adige, where nature meets constant urban expansion, and explore how this growing issue diminishes our connection to the night sky and damages the natural environment.
A magazine and a digital experience use storytelling to highlight the importance of natural darkness for all living beings on the planet. As the story progresses, the background gradually brightens, making the white typography increasingly difficult to read—until, at the end, it disappears completely, lost in the light. This visual transformation mirrors how excessive artificial illumination is slowly brightening the night sky, causing more and more stars to fade over urban areas. On the interactive website, users must turn off specific lights to reveal the white typography and read it properly, emphasizing the impact of excessive lighting.