Koert Vermeulen: The Lighting Maestro Liberals Love to Ignore

Koert Vermeulen is a name that should be on everyone's lips, but especially those who claim to be champions of the arts. This Belgian lighting designer has been dazzling audiences since the 1990s with his innovative and breathtaking light installations. From the grand stages of Tomorrowland in Belgium to the iconic landmarks of Dubai, Vermeulen's work is a testament to the power of creativity and technology. Yet, despite his global influence and the sheer brilliance of his work, he remains a figure that the left-leaning art critics often overlook. Why? Because his work doesn't fit neatly into their narrow narrative of what art should be.

Vermeulen's work is a celebration of light and space, a fusion of art and technology that challenges the status quo. His installations are not just about aesthetics; they are about creating experiences that transcend the ordinary. Take, for example, his work at the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. Vermeulen transformed the world's tallest building into a canvas of light, creating a spectacle that was both awe-inspiring and thought-provoking. But instead of being hailed as a visionary, he's often sidelined by those who prefer art that fits their political agenda.

The irony is that Vermeulen's work embodies the very principles that the left claims to champion: innovation, inclusivity, and accessibility. His installations are not confined to the elitist galleries of the art world; they are public spectacles that can be enjoyed by anyone, regardless of their background or beliefs. Yet, because his work doesn't carry an overt political message, it is often dismissed by those who see art as a tool for social change rather than a celebration of human creativity.

Vermeulen's approach to lighting design is refreshingly apolitical. He doesn't use his work as a platform to preach or to push a particular ideology. Instead, he focuses on creating experiences that bring people together, that inspire wonder and awe. In a world that is increasingly divided, his work is a reminder of the power of art to unite us, to transcend the barriers that separate us.

But perhaps the most infuriating thing for the left is that Vermeulen's work is unapologetically beautiful. In an age where ugliness is often celebrated as a form of authenticity, his installations are a breath of fresh air. They remind us that art can be beautiful for beauty's sake, that it doesn't always have to carry a heavy political message to be meaningful.

Vermeulen's work is a testament to the power of individual creativity, a celebration of the human spirit that refuses to be confined by the narrow definitions of what art should be. His installations are a reminder that art can be both innovative and accessible, that it can inspire and delight without being weighed down by political agendas.

So, while the left continues to ignore or dismiss his work, those of us who appreciate true artistry will continue to celebrate Koert Vermeulen as the lighting maestro he is. His work is a beacon of creativity in a world that desperately needs it, a reminder that art can be a force for good without being a tool for political propaganda. And that, perhaps, is the most revolutionary thing of all.