Evaluation of Spectator Discourse on Modifications of Stage Appearance under LED Lighting

The transition imposed by the Grenelle Environment Act, leading to the gradual phase-out of incandescent, halogen, and fluorescent lamps, has introduced LEDs as the new source of stage lighting. While this technology offers energy and creative advantages, it disrupts artistic and technical practices: different light spectra, altered rendering of colors and shadows, increased console complexity and difficulties in transferring a lighting design from one venue to another. Designers struggle to regain the aesthetic control once provided by incandescent sources, while training tools remain rooted in the 20th century. In response to the lack of reliable metrics for comparing LEDs and traditional sources, the ANR SceALED project brings together researchers, engineers, artists, and manufacturers to develop multi-criteria evaluation tools. Through psycho-visual studies, lexicometric analyses, and sensory design methods, it aims to better understand spectators’ perceptions and ensure the transferability and aesthetic quality of contemporary stage creations.