In Jay Z’s Empire State of Mind, the bright lights of the city are a source of inspiration and of deception. While there is a chance that they will light a path towards success, for most, that path will end in failure (‘eight million stories out there, it’s a pity half of y’all won’t make it’). Like staring into the sun, the lights of the city will blind you if you gaze at them for too long, and tragically, when confronted with these lights, one cannot help but stare.

‘New York!!!!
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of,
There’s nothing you can’t do,
Now you’re in New York!!!
These streets will make you feel brand new,
The lights will inspire you,
Let’s hear it for New York, New York, New York

 

One hand in the air for the big city,
Street lights, big dreams all looking pretty,
No place in the world that can compare,
Put your lighters in the air, everybody say yeaaahh,
Come on, come,
Yeah,

 

New York!!!!
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of,
There’s nothing you can’t do,
Now you’re in New York!!!
These streets will make you feel brand new,
The lights will inspire you,
Let’s hear it for New York, New York, New York’

E. Sean Bailey

Within, St. Pierre Church in Firminy, Le Corbusier has designed a lux rarity. A curious pre-cast concrete wall pierced by small sparks of daylight, reminiscent of fiery constellations, dynamically shimmering in pursuit of everyone’s attention. It is a gesture that suggests ornament without compromising pure function: lighting a space and establishing a hierarchy through emphasis.

Erandi de Silva

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