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The Art and Soul of Illumination

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Exclusive Interview with George Tellos, CEO, Lighting Art

In the recent NMK x Chauvet Open House, industry professionals gathered for an evening that seamlessly blended technical precision with artistic vision. The event featured a series of live demonstrations and immersive lighting showcases, highlighting the dynamic possibilities of modern lighting design.

A standout moment of the evening was a conversation with George Tellos, CEO of Lighting Art. Renowned for his work across global stadiums, architectural landmarks, and theatrical productions, Tellos reflected on his creative journey, the emotional impact of lighting, and the innovations defining its future.

You’ve worked across events and architecture globally. What first sparked your passion for lighting design?

Like many creative journeys, mine began unexpectedly. I grew up in Germany and, at 22, I fell deeply in love—that relationship led me to move to Athens. There, I started studying lighting. One thing led to another: I returned to Germany, opened my first company, then back to Greece for the second, and finally, in 2013, I launched a third company focused on architectural lighting. Life rarely moves in a straight line—you just need to stay open and curious. Every new city, every challenge pushed me forward. It wasn’t always easy, but it was always worth it.

Did you always plan to pursue lighting?

Not at all. I actually studied theater first. Lighting wasn’t even on my radar. But that’s the beauty of it—you never really know where life will take you. What matters is staying positive and ready to explore new paths. Often, it’s the unexpected moments that define your direction more than anything you plan. You meet someone, you take a course, and suddenly your entire career changes shape.

 You’ve lit everything from global sports events to operas. Can you share some key projects you’ve worked on?

Our portfolio includes entertainment lighting for large-scale events like the FIFA, FIBA, IHF, Eurovision Song Contest, and the Olympic Games. We’ve done corporate shows, TV award ceremonies, Amazon films, operas in France and Germany, and many royal weddings in the region and India. Since 2013, our Riyadh-based company has focused on architectural lighting. What I enjoy most is combining both worlds—bringing theatrical techniques into architecture and vice versa. It’s about blending technology with emotion. The scale might change, but the storytelling element remains central to every project we take on.

As sustainability is one of the core focus in modern design, how do you balance creativity with energy efficiency, especially at large venues?

Sustainability is essential—but it should never overshadow the emotional magic of art. We can protect the planet in how we live day to day. But when we design for impact—something meant to move people—we need to give it our all. The magic must remain intact. For me, sustainability is about choices: smarter fixture selection, conscious material usage, thoughtful logistics. But the emotional core of a project can’t be sacrificed. You have to find a harmony between purpose and poetry.

If there’s one insight about lighting’s emotional and functional power that you want to leave your audience with, what would it be?

That tools matter—immensely. Quality tools don’t have to be expensive, but they must be right for the job. I always say: if you’re cooking an expensive piece of meat, you need a sharp, well-crafted knife. The same goes for lighting—especially at high-stakes events. Bad tools waste time and compromise the result. We need the right equipment to bring our ideas to life. You can have the best vision, but if your tools can’t match it, the audience will never feel it.

Looking ahead, what trends do you see shaping smart living and our interaction with lighting in work and living spaces?

Lighting fixtures have already reached impressive levels of advancement—we’re now using laser technologies. But the next frontier is control systems. With AI, I can see designers simply speaking to a console: “Give me a romantic blue mood in night conditions,” and it delivers. That’s where we’re headed—toward intuitive, conversational control powered by AI. And it’s not in the distant future—it’s within the next three years. The interface between human intent and machine execution is getting smoother, and it will redefine how we design, not just how we operate.

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