Art of Darkness

The Art of Darkness project is an initiative funded under the Horizon Europe research program that focuses on exploring and integrating darkness into urban environments through design. Its central aim is to examine how darkness and light can be consciously used and combined as cultural, aesthetic, and ecological qualities of cities and historic sites. During the second phase of the project, the state capital of Potsdam was selected on my initiative as one of three official European replicator partner cities to participate.

The project offers promising perspectives for Potsdam. With the UNESCO World Heritage sites of the Prussian palaces and park landscape, together with the protected buffer zone in the historic city center, Potsdam possesses cultural sites of international significance. Their atmospheric potential can be further developed in a targeted way during the evening and nighttime hours. This creates a wide range of opportunities for the city to translate the project’s findings into new impulses for the aesthetic and environmentally responsible design of its cultural sites. This process is supported by active public participation and the use of citizen science approaches. 

Scientifically grounded concepts of light and darkness offer the opportunity to strengthen the city’s cultural profile, promote sustainable lighting strategies, and create new tourism opportunities beyond saisonal peaks. The findings of the project will be incorporated into the ongoing revision of Potsdam’s general lighting master plan and will contribute to a lasting improvement of the city’s public lighting.