« Light which is sensual » Hugh Vanstone

Hugh Vanstone Interview

What is light for you?

Hugh Vanstone: Light – for me – is magic which exists only in the ether. It’s both fluid and particle. I love light precisely because it’s hard to describe.

What is your first emotion?

Hugh Vanstone: I respond primarily to the emotion in a scene (or song), before the location/situation.

What is your favorite feeling of light?

Hugh Vanstone: I like looks which are moody or brooding rather than bright. I like the shadows as much as the light. Light which is sensual.

What is for you the most complete light project?

Hugh Vanstone: My favourite piece of my work was The Unexpected Man play by Yasmina Reza. It’s a series of monologues and a very poetic piece which allowed the lighting to follow the mood and take you to many different emotional places.

In the future, what do you want to do and haven’t done it?

Hugh Vanstone: I love music. I would like to light a rock concert one day. I also have a list of plays I want to do. And I want to do more site specific performance work. Life is to short.

What personality of light is the most inspiring?

Hugh Vanstone: It’s changeability: It’s fickle and fluid.

What is your favorite light object?

Hugh Vanstone: The human body.

What is your ideal light source?

Hugh Vanstone: One which if infinitely variable in intensity, colour and texture. It must be compact and totally silent please. And if you can make one that bends light around corners I’ll love you forever!