Form, Atmosphere, Rhythm : A Qualitative Semiotic Study into Spiritual and Affective Experiences of Non-Figurative Light-and-Shadow Installations DOI:

Abstract

This study examines how non-figurative light-and-shadow installations elicit spiritual perception and affective responses through the coordinated interaction of form, atmosphere, and tempo. Employing a qualitative approach that integrates visual analysis with semiotic interpretation, the research systematically interprets representative cases by drawing on high-quality images, curatorial texts, and critical reviews. Findings indicate that, even without religious iconography or architectural semantics, coherent and well-structured configurations of geometric order, material surface, illuminance contrast, color temperature, and temporal rhythm can reliably elicit experiences characterized by calmness, contemplation, and a sense of sacredness. Building on these ideas, the paper suggests that a three-part structure functions similarly to the “semiotic triangle”: visible shapes are signs (form), the perceptible spatial climate is the referent (atmosphere), and temporal modulation is the interpretant (tempo), which helps people make sense of their experience and evoke feelings. This structure directly links controllable design parameters to anticipated experiential outcomes, providing an operational basis for prototyping and evaluation. In general, the study comprehensively clarifies the mechanism by which non-figurative light and shadow installations produce spiritual and emotional experiences, while also providing practical guidance for art creation and exhibition practice.