"Luci d'alta quota" Manifattura Tabacchi
Heritage & Culture
Florence | Italy
2026
Photo
Bingyuan Lu, Yaochen Wu
Enhancing materiality through light
“Luci d’alta quota. Lettera di un amore di quarant’anni su pellicola” is a solo exhibition by photographer Zhang Chaoyin, hosted in the evocative setting of Manifattura Tabacchi in Florence. The exhibition presents the extraordinary work of one of the leading figures in contemporary Asian landscape photography: a four-decade exploration of the Himalayan region, where photography operates both as documentary record and contemplative experience. Produced using the platinum-palladium printing technique on paper and silk, the 50 works reveal remarkable depth, surface richness, and tonal subtlety, transforming landscape into a material expression of light, silence, and human endurance. The large-format prints create an immersive and contemplative environment, further extended by the monumental publication Himalaya, featuring more than 3,500 images.
Lighting plays a key interpretative role, enhancing the physical presence of each work while respecting its delicate materiality. Targetti participated as technical sponsor, providing the lighting system for the exhibition spaces.
The exhibition was hosted within Manifattura Tabacchi, a former tobacco factory active for over seventy years before its closure in 2001. The complex is a significant example of Italian Rationalist architecture and has undergone a comprehensive regeneration project focused on restoration and conservation, preserving its industrial identity while introducing new cultural functions. Within this context, the lighting design addresses both the architectural character of the spaces and the specific requirements of photographic display. The lighting setting was conceived as a flexible and precise tool for visual interpretation, supporting both spatial and artistic perception.
Targetti Zeno projectors, developed specifically for museum and exhibition applications, were selected for their optical precision, visual comfort, and flexibility. The lighting scheme integrates multiple optical distributions to articulate the spatial narrative and enhance the material qualities of the works.
Wall-washer optics establish uniform vertical illumination, reinforcing the continuity of the exhibition surfaces. Flood optics provide controlled accent lighting, while zoom optics allow precise beam shaping and adaptability in relation to scale and composition. The resulting lighting composition balances visual hierarchy and uniformity, supporting a coherent reading of the photographic sequence. The compact form factor and discreet integration of the luminaires ensure minimal visual intrusion within the architectural space while maintaining high performance and precise light control.
