Modern man, in his well-lit house, knows nothing of the beauty of gold; but those who lived in the dark houses of the past were not merely captivated by its beauty, they also knew its practical value; for gold, in these dim rooms, must have served the function of a reflector. Their use of gold leaf and gold dust was not mere extravagance. Its reflective properties were put to use as a source of illumination...gold retains its brilliance indefinitely to light the darkness of the room.
...Lacquerware decorated in gold was made to be seen in the dark; and for this same reason were the fabrics of the past so lavishly woven of threads of silver and gold. The priest's surplice of gold brocade is perhaps the best example. In most of our city temples, catering to the masses as they do, the main hall will be brightly lit, and these garments of gold will seem merely gaudy.
Jun'ichiro Tanizaki, In Praise of Shadows
I can think of a few things that are better in the dark...SHELTER MAGS OF THE WORLD, ARE YOU LISTENING??
Styling, photography, and hand painted metallic screen by (IN)DECOROUS TASTE.
