fotontelling

Fotontelling is a narrative technique and media practice that uses sequences of light to convey a story. The core idea is to exploit photon-based cues—color, intensity, duration, and spatial distribution—to evoke narrative meaning without relying primarily on text or dialogue. Works are typically immersive and may combine projection, LED installations, and wearable lighting where the viewer's gaze or movement influences the unfolding tale.

Originating in the early 2020s within contemporary digital and light art scenes, the term blends 'photon' and 'telling.' Early practitioners describe fotontelling as a form of visual storytelling that emphasizes perception, memory, and mood through lighting choreography.

Techniques include light scripting (timed events mapped to narrative beats), color theory, latency management for synchronized audio and projection, and the use of projection mapping, LED matrices, and ambient lighting. Installations may be linear narratives in a room or interactive experiences where sensors respond to audience position, gesture, or choice.

Formats and applications vary from standalone art installations and theatre collaborations to educational and therapeutic contexts. In museums and festivals, fotontelling is used to create immersive environments that guide attention and emotion. In health care or elder care settings, it is explored as a nonverbal reminiscence or engagement tool, though research on efficacy is still developing.

Reception has been mixed regarding complexity, accessibility, and cost. Proponents emphasize heightened immersion and memory cues; critics point to potential overreliance on sensory stimuli and the need for clear narrative framing.

See also immersive art, projection mapping, light art, multimedia storytelling.