The Fabric of our Society

September 2023

Moonlighting Celebrates Who We Are When We’re Not Lighting 

Francesca Bastianini
Founding Partner, Sighte Studio
Committee Member, Moonlighting 2023

When we gather as a lighting community there’s often a lot of shop talk. Samples, quotes, details, orders… We have our own shorthand. However, shop talk is often a small part of what gets discussed when we lighting folks gather. Recently, at a dinner hosted by a manufacturer and our agency rep, we shared how we are truly lucky to be a part of an industry where we come together regularly to focus more on who we are, and less on what we do. 

As a member of the IESNYC Moonlighting committee – serving the role of the DLFNY liaison, since its second year – I have seen the event grow from the spark of inspiration that Nathalie Faubert lobbied for, to a beloved yearly gathering. Annually on the first Wednesday after Labor Day, members of the NYC lighting industry gather to marvel at all the creative things we do when we are not doing lighting. Over the years, we’ve seen painting, photography, printmaking, costume design, scent creation, cocktail making, crosswords, baking, so much musical talent, and even a display of intricate nautical knots. 

The event is a joint program between the IESNYC, DLFNY, and IALD; further proving the point that community comes before competition. We’ve had around 40 participants sharing their work annually during the past few years. And that work is enjoyed by a couple of hundred participants who attend over the course of the evening.

Get ready to shine!
Every year it feels like a ton of work to put up walls, coordinate submissions, and hang art. But I gladly do it because people so look forward to it. Many attendees share that it’s their favorite event of the year: a fun way to come together after the summer and kick off the fall events season. 

Heading into our ninth year, we have new artists ready to share their passions for the first time; plus a number of participants who have shown at every event, including our virtual programs (with a website and Instagram Live) during the pandemic. Their enthusiasm has inspired me to put brush to paper myself, and remember that our lives are strongly tied to lighting, but not only lighting. 

The highly personal expressions of my colleagues motivate me to share my own. Because our creative pursuits are not intended for critical consumption, but as a reminder of the joy in life and the catharsis of self expression. A colorful, boisterous and wholly supportive peek behind the professional selves we show through emails, site visits, and sales calls. 

I look forward to seeing everyone enjoy the program this year, Wednesday, September 6 at 6:00 pm. (Remember to RSVP!)  And if you haven’t applied to share your artistic side before, you’ve got a year to prepare for the tenth anniversary program in fall 2024.

View details and register to attend the Moonlighting Exhibition and Reception