Abstract:
To investigate the concept of lighting in Thai performance, the development of lighting as message design to create works, and also the concept and the techniques of lighting as message design for contemporary Khon production including the indication of lighting usage to communicate the aesthetic of performance. The researcher studied from the documentary research and 10 Khon performance video tapes (textual analysis), interviewed 15 persons who worked in this field (the expert, the creator, and the lighting designer), and surveyed the audiences attitude by using questionnaire from 86 respondents. The results revealed that lighting usage in Thai performance were divided into 4 periods. First, using natural resources period, Thai performance did not emphasize on lighting because mostly the performance was set up outside and relying on the light by day and on the fire by night. Second, technology development period, the light instruments are developed to use more comfortably, to save time and expenditure. Third, foreign cultural performance period, the influence of western performance convey Thai performance to emphasize on reality and dimension. Fourth, modern theatre studied period, with the high technology and worldwide network, the lighting designers can choose its benefit to suit their performance. The lighting usage in contemporary Khon production is depended on the creators conception and presentation to be consistent with social context and respond to the audiences taste. Moreover, lighting is related to the performance in a sense of non-verbal and dynamic role. Sometimes lighting is a complementary and sometimes it plays a major role in communication. Both creators and the audiences agree that the trend of lighting usage in contemporary Khon production to communicate, is very important to develop the performance more understandable.