illuminations

Illuminations is the plural form of illumination and can refer to the act or result of providing light, the figurative emergence of insight, or the use of light in art and display. The term is also used as a title for a range of cultural works and projects.

Literature: The most widely known usage is Les Illuminations (often translated as Illuminations), a collection of prose poems by Arthur Rimbaud. Composed in the 1870s and published posthumously in 1886, it is a landmark of French Symbolism and had a lasting influence on modern poetry. The pieces are noted for their luminous, dreamlike imagery and collage of urban and mythic motifs.

Other uses: Across literature, music, and the visual arts, Illuminations has been used as a title or theme, typically signaling revelation, transformation, or the interplay of light and dark. It may denote experimental works that strive to “illuminate” subject matter for the reader or viewer.

Everyday usage: In the practical sense, illuminations refer to installations of lighting—artificial light used to illuminate spaces, stages, or displays. It also describes decorative lighting for holidays and public events, such as street or building illuminations that create visual spectacle.