Nuite Blanche by Michel de Broin. Images: Émilien Châtelain.

Nuite Blanche by Michel de Broin. Images: Émilien Châtelain.

Nuite Blanche by Michel de Broin. Images: Émilien Châtelain.

In a city that can no longer enjoy a starry night, French artist Michel de Broin had an innovative and expensive solution – create a 7.5m (24ft 7”) disco ball, covered in 1,000 mirrors and suspend it 50m (164ft) over the Jardin du Luxembourg in Paris. The Nuit Blanche project simulates a starry sky for residents who never get the chance to enjoy the night skies amongst all the artificial light pollution. Perhaps the Nuit Blanche event reminded Parisian residents what they are missing and more people will start turning off their lights at night.

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A 20th century French Philosopher named Jean Baudrillard once wrote, “The simulacrum is never that which conceals the truth–it is the truth which conceals that there is none. The simulacrum is true.” Monsieur Baudrillard’s Simulacra and Simulations asserts that the simulacrum undergoes three orders of which images or representations found in reality become increasingly virtual and eventually meld both reality and virtual reality into hyperreality.

The three orders of simulacra:

The first order occurs when individuals can see that the image is ostensively artificial and functions as a fake representation for the real item. E.g. a basic mechanical owl debuts at a technology show. This mechanical owl can reproduce the sound of an owl but can not fly on its own; its appearance lacks authenticity compared other owls and there is an ‘On’ and ‘Off’ switch.

Second order occurs when the distinctions between the image and reality break down due to the proliferation of mass-produced copies; the image’s ability to imitate reality threatens to replace the original version. E.g. a new complex mechanical owl model debuts with its own AI and can fly on its own; its appearance uncannily resembles an organic owl and has its own life span without a power switch.

The third order occurs when the simulacrum itself precedes the original and the distinction between reality and representation breaks down. The simulacrum itself has replaced the original entirely. E.g. The synthetic owls have replaced most or all organic owls in the world; organic owls have become a rare and increasingly wealthy commodity around the world. The once illusion has become reality.

When an image reaches the third order, then the image itself becomes hyperreal. Monsieur Baudrillard defines the hyperreal as “the simulation of something which never really existed.” In other words, an inherently fake representation with no meaning has become ‘real’ with meaning.

In regards to Monsieur Michel de Broin’s art piece, I’m equally afraid and intrigued to see his art piece come alive. Following what has been said earlier about the three orders of simulacra, I would place Monsieur Michel de Broin’s art piece Nuit Blanche (white night or all nighter) toward or on the precipice of the second order. I know this art piece or representation emulates the starry night skies through a massive apparatus, although I’m not entirely sure if other devices have been created yet. Are we heading towards a hypermediated reality or will this art piece inspire contemplation and yearning for the original night sky? Where does light pollution fit into Baudrillard’s vision? For the former question, I’m unsure but for the latter question, I’ll speculate that light pollution has reached either the second or third order of simulacra, especially for children today and their subsequent generations. It’s entirely possible they will never see the unadulterated, starry night skies and only see the sky glow or a simulated light lit sky.

Unfortunately, finding an untainted sky amongst a town, city or metropolis has become increasingly rare due to increased population. I didn’t mention technology as a problem, since humanity has the technology to eradicate light pollution entirely. Shielded and Motion sensing lights provide light where and when you need it. Perhaps we’ll want to save the night sky more after seeing Monsieur Michel de Broin’s art piece or perhaps we’ll look forward to seeing the nightly light show of stars.