In this paper, I will explore the role of artificial light in public art through a case study project. With the word role, I mean the visual and conceptual hierarchy of materials and resources in artwork. Light is a significant resource in public art. The artwork needs highlighting, especially in Northern countries where the winter’s darkness is inevitable. Light is not only a highlighter, it also tells a story of its own. 
First, I’m going to open up the concepts of public space, public art, light in public art and light art, to place the study in context. The literature review in the first part of the study allows better insight into the relation of light, public art, and light art.
The second part introduces the selected case study project, which is a concept design of a landscape artwork competition, for Tramway art in Tampere, Finland. Richard Kelly’s perceptual theory will be used to discuss the observations from the case study. Kelly’s theory consists of three fundamental elements of visual design: ambient luminescence, focal glow and play of brilliants.
The researcher’s subjective experience in the case study discusses with the documentations and observations of the project, to explore the circumstances and to examine the boundary conditions of the case study project. 
The role of artificial light in public art can be functional and make the space visible; it can be a highlighter and drag the focus into the artwork; or it can be the artwork itself. With the findings of the case study, I will divide the roles of artificial light in public art in functional, supporting and leading.

This thesis builds on my personal connection with Malmstens Linköpings University (MLU). First as a student of furniture conservation and later university adjunc in furniture culture. The project has three parts: an extension, a terraced sunken garden and a musueumbuilding. Malmstens extension is centered on masterstudio, atelié for furniture conservation, new CAD- and FAB-lab, extended storage rooms as well as annexing Carl Malmsten Archive to Campus Lidingö. Through lowering of the garden a receiding terrace gives way to sunlight and allows to transform an unused shaft into panoramic gallery, exhibiting journeyman pieces and thesis projects. Rendering a new residence for The Museum of Furniture Studies as part of the craft and design node on Lidingö, would contribute to the campus with a lecture hall, a reasearch room, a photo studio, its vast collection of 20th century design furniture and a restaurant. I have sought to investigate daylight conditions on the site and with the current detailed developmenty plan as a starting point developed a proposal for extending Malmstens Linköpings University. Beyond the mainframe I imagine repuropsing parking lot south-east from Malmstens for researchers lodges and student housing, raised above the parking level; craft worskhops, studios and offices for creative professions flanking Aga- and Larsbergsvägen in mind.