CICAT, Eina and BENITO present a new session in the “Luminous Landscapes” series, this time focusing on the nocturnal landscape and the role of light in shaping our surroundings. Entitled “Mapping the Dark”, the event will take place on Wednesday 21 October at Benito Hub in Barcelona and will invite participants to rethink how we illuminate outdoor spaces, highlighting the value of darkness and the importance of preserving it.
The event will explore how artificial light shapes our perception of the landscape and how a balance can be struck between lighting needs, sustainability and the preservation of the night.
The session is based on the idea that lighting is not simply about providing light, but also about deciding where, how and why to use it. Lighting shapes routes, hierarchies and identities, influencing the way we perceive and inhabit spaces after dark. At the same time, excessive or inappropriate use of artificial light can alter the nocturnal landscape and have an impact on the environment and biodiversity.
“Mapping the Dark” will address these issues from a range of professional perspectives, connecting lighting design with landscape management and environmental protection. The event will introduce concepts such as the right to see and the right to the night, approaching darkness not as an absence to be eliminated, but as an element of the landscape that should also be considered in design and preserved.
The discussion will feature Rebeca Sánchez from LEDSCONTROL, Susana Malón from Lumínica Ambiental and Manuel Garcia from the Government of Catalonia, and will be moderated by Albert de Ramos from BENITO.
Event details
📅 Date: Wednesday 21 October 2026
🕡 Time: 6.30–8.00 pm 📍 Venue: Benito Hub
🏢 Address: Carrer de Sant Eusebi, 34, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, 08006 Barcelona
💡 Event: Luminous Landscapes III: Mapping the Dark
🤝 Organised by: CICAT, EINA and BENITO
🎟️ Registration: Places are limited and advance registration is required