We are extremely proud to have UNESCO as one of our supporters, and even more excited that 2015 has officially been awarded The International Year of Light (IYL).
What does IYL mean, I hear you ask? Well, in association with UNESCO, IYL marks a global initiative that will highlight the importance of light and optical technologies in our daily lives and for the future. So lets take this opportunity to appreciate to wonderful creation that is light.
It comes as no surprise that light is a major part of Trafo Pop’s life – light plays a vital role in all of our daily lives, right? Light not only has aesthetical benefits but has also revolutionised industries such as medicine, opened up international communication via the Internet, and continues to be central to linking cultural, economic and political aspects of the global society.
Light is still one of the main materials for fashion-tech designers and LEDs remains the primary communicator between humans and the wearable. RGB-coloured Trafo Pop jackets can provide feedback on music played, or can be transformed into message boards via Twitter. Others use light as direct feedback from sensors measuring such things as your heart beat. In this sense, LEDs are not only a material but also a medium for performances, installations, interactive responses, and developing new communication platforms.
IYL aims to raise awareness of the achievements of light science, its applications, and its importance to humankind.
“One of the most exciting aspects of this International Year is the way in which it brings together such a wide range of different communities, from astronomy to medicine and photonics to arts and culture,” says Beth Taylor, chair of the UK National Committee for the IYL. “It creates a unique opportunity to cross traditional cultural divides and engage new and different audiences with the excitement of light and its applications.”
We are very excited for the coming year – finally a time for everyone to appreciate the often-understated beauty of light. Because of this, we are working hard to make 2015 our year, by expanding our international presence and sharing our love of light with the rest of the world.
Please browse www.light2015.org for information on IYL events, resources, videos and more – and let the light guide the way! Also Join one of our next Wearable Berlin meetings if you want to learn more about lights in textiles!
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