Lamplorzione

Lamplorzione is a term used to describe the practice of exploring spaces primarily through artificial illumination. It covers fieldwork in settings with limited or no natural light, such as abandoned buildings, industrial sites, caves, tunnels, and similar environments. In lamplorzione, lamps and lighting strategies are used not only to see but to shape the perception of space, texture, and history, often combining elements of architectural photography, urban exploration, and site documentation.

The word lamplorzione is a neologism formed by blending elements of lamp or lampada with esplorazione (exploration) in Italian. It has emerged in Italian-language discussions of night photography and nocturnal exploration and appears in blogs, zines, and online communities focused on light-based exploration.

Techniques and ethics: Practitioners typically rely on portable LED lamps, headlamps, and lanterns with adjustable brightness, sometimes incorporating long-exposure photography or light painting to reveal forms while preserving the scene’s atmosphere. Safety, legality, and respect for cultural heritage are emphasized, including obtaining permissions where required and avoiding damage to fragile or sensitive sites.

Impact and scope: Lamplorzione represents a niche at the intersection of art, photography, and exploration. It is primarily a artisanal and documentary practice rather than an established academic field, with practice carried out across communities that share interest in nocturnal illumination and space to be documented.