# Sharp Points of Light Stimulate All the Senses by Richard Kelly > “Light scintillation stimulates all the senses. Even the sense of smell and taste—I consider these together—can be stimulated by the optical bombardment of tiny but sharp points of light.” > **— Richard Kelly**, *American architectural lighting designer, on the play of brilliants* ## Sources and Context - **Direct authoritative text:** [Who Is Richard Kelly — The Richard Kelly Grant](https://richardkellygrant.org/who-is-richard-kelly/) — the grant established in Kelly’s name quotes the passage and explains his three elements of light: focal glow, ambient luminescence, and the play of brilliants, the sparkle and sharp detail this passage describes. Kelly lit the Seagram Building, the Kimbell Art Museum, the Yale Center for British Art, and Lincoln Center. - **Historical context:** Kelly first set out the three elements in his April 23, 1952 lecture “Lighting as an Integral Part of Architecture,” delivered in Cleveland. - **Editorial note:** A terminal period was added; the source prints the passage without final punctuation. No original publication or page locator was available. ## Related Articles and Collections - **Collection:** [[collections/Simple Reminders|Simple Reminders]] - **Collection:** [[collections/American|American Collection]] - **American route:** [[american/American Aesthetic - Interior Design and Space Composition|Interior Design and Space Composition]] ## Related Topics - [[wiki/Mid-Century Modernism|Mid-Century Modernism]] ## Share on Social Media ``` “Light scintillation stimulates all the senses. Even the sense of smell and taste—I consider these together—can be stimulated by the optical bombardment of tiny but sharp points of light.” — Richard Kelly, American architectural lighting designer, on the play of brilliants https://bryantmcgill.com/simple-reminders-richard-kelly-light-scintillation-senses ```