In collaboration with Viviana Caro, founder of Neuromance. We will offer a series of 20 minute conversation starter sessions during the event, sharing an immersive journey to test the impact of light and sound on the human body and mind. 

Beyond the Visible - Light’s Influence on Body and Spirit

Light—and at times, its absence—is something we cannot escape. Like sound, it is intertwined with us and has the power to evoke profound emotional responses.

But how do humans experience light as both an aesthetic and sensory phenomenon? What impact does it have on our well-being, imagination, and how we perceive and interact with the world?

Neuroaesthetics, a subfield of cognitive neuroscience, examines how the brain responds to artistic stimuli, beauty, and nature. Research shows that lighting can significantly influence our emotions, behaviours, and decisions by activating specific neural pathways. Yet this concept is far from new—light has long symbolised truth, knowledge, and spiritual awakening, from Plato's Allegory of the Cave to Eastern philosophies. In fine art, light directs attention, sets mood, and conveys meaning. Throughout history, it has been linked to the highest forms of reality and understanding, transcending science and art to shape our perception of the world.

In this Conversation Starter, PhD researcher in neuroaesthetics and conceptual artist Viviana Caro, alongside light artist and creative producer Maria Vera, will explore how light influences creativity and emotions from both scientific and artistic perspectives. They will guide us through a contemplative journey with a short installation that conceptualises their insights, immersing us in the profound interplay between light, emotion, and perception.