Lighting apparatus, and vehicle lamp system

A lighting apparatus comprising:

• a light source;
• a condensing part that condenses light emitted from the light source so as to form a focal point at a predetermined position;
• a liquid crystal element having a liquid crystal layer and arranged at a position including the focal point;
• a first polarizing element disposed on a light incident surface side of the liquid crystal element;
• a second polarizing element disposed on a light emitting surface side of the liquid crystal element;
• and
• a projection lens that magnifies and projects images generated by the liquid crystal element, the first polarizing element, and the second polarizing element;
• wherein the liquid crystal element has a first surface that includes the position of the focal point and is substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of the projection lens, and at least one second surface disposed around the first surface and arranged in a direction oblique to the optical axis of the projection lens;
• and
• wherein the second surface is arranged such that the light is incident on the liquid crystal layer of the liquid crystal element from a best viewing azimuth of the liquid crystal element or from an azimuth within a range of ±90° or less in the azimuth angle direction based on the best viewing azimuth.