# Illuminated Self-Portraits "Light" by Levi van Veluw By lourdes sanchez bayas | Published 2009-02-10 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/illuminated-self-portraits-light-by-levi-van-veluw References: [fabrikproject.mx](http://fabrikproject.com.mx/blog/?p=3963) & [levivanveluw](http://www.levivanveluw.com/) Dutch artist Levi van Veluw uses his head--including the face--as a canvas for his work. We've featured van Veluw at TrendHunter.com before, but for this "Light" series he had his head photographed in total darkness. For "Light," van Veluw opted to cover his head with light-generating foil and then photograph himself in total darkness. As [Fabrik](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/allelectric-stadium) notes, "...the highly radiant bright blue light produced by this material allows it to stand out as an autonomous object." **Implications** - These [light portraits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/personalized-light-art) hide Van Veluw's face, leaving the only distinguishable object a vague shape that resembles the artist. The light takes the form of this face. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.1/10 - Popularity: 15% | Activity: 40% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [DIY](https://www.trendhunter.com/diy) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Light-generating Foil:** The use of light-generating foil opens up opportunities for artists to create unique and attention-grabbing self-portraits. - **Photographing in Total Darkness:** The practice of capturing self-portraits in total darkness adds a mysterious and dramatic element to the artwork. - **Face as Canvas:** Using the face as a canvas for artwork allows for exploration of identity, transformation, and self-expression. ### Where This Applies - **Art and Photography:** The art and photography industry can explore new techniques and materials, such as light-generating foil, to create innovative and captivating artworks. - **Digital Imaging and Editing:** The digital imaging and editing industry can develop software and tools to enhance the creation and manipulation of photographs taken in total darkness. - **Fashion and Makeup:** The fashion and makeup industry can draw inspiration from the concept of using the face as a canvas and explore new ways to incorporate light and unconventional materials into their designs. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Illuminated Curtained Light Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/making-the-invisible-visible.md) - [Immersive Light Art Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/psychoacoustic-light-ensemble.md) - [Emotional Light Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/miror-collection.md) - [Painting-Immersive Photo Exhibits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-ground-exhibition.md) - [Life-Like 3D Canvases](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lumino.md) - [Physics-Based Artful Light Capsules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aura-collection-1.md) - [Face Mask-Made Illuminators](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/anonymlux-lamp.md) - [Ethereal Light Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/peter-kovacsy.md) - [Creation-Centric Light Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/head-hi-show.md)