Developed by creative producers Artichoke and supported by the Mayor of London, Lumiere London runs from 14-17 January 2016, 6.30-10.30pm. Free to attend, the festival will re-imagine London's urban landscape and architecture in 30 artworks across four main areas: King's Cross; Mayfair and Grosvenor Square; Piccadilly, Regent Street, Leicester Square and St James's; and Trafalgar Square and Westminster.
With founding support from Atom Bank, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Heart of London Business Alliance, London & Partners and King's Cross, plus additional support from a host of partners and sponsors, including Westminster City Council, Lumiere London will "transform parts of London's West End and King's Cross into a glittering pedestrian playground".
Lumiere London aims to attract Londoners and tourists alike into the heart of the capital during what is traditionally one of the quieter months of the year. Festival visitors are being encouraged to explore the dazzling night-time gallery on foot, discovering parts of the capital for the first time and seeing familiar sights in a new light.
There are easy walking routes between many of the 30 exhibits and plenty of opportunities to stay and linger over a drink or a meal at the many venues and attractions along the way.
At Westminster Abbey, French digital artist Patrice Warrener will use his chromolithe technique to "paint" the Abbey's West Gate in an electric riot of colour. The Light of the Spirit will highlight the series of stone statues above the Great West Door including Dr Martin Luther King and El Salvadorean Bishop Oscar Romero, as well as parts of the two Western Towers built by Christopher Wren and Nicholas Hawksmoor.
In Piccadilly, the Lumineoles light sculptures will dance with the elements, while on the façade of BAFTA 195 Piccadilly, leading stars and directors of British screen and TV will appear as part of 195 Piccadilly, a dynamic, technicolour artwork by Newcastle-based studio NOVAK, with a striking soundtrack by Ed Carter.
At King's Cross, visitors will be able to explore the area, its buildings and spaces through 11 installations and projected artworks, including Circus of Light, a magical animation across the breadth of the repurposed Granary Building especially commissioned for the festival from Portuguese studio Ocubo, and Diver by Ron Haselden, a 17-metre light sculpture at the King's Cross Swimming Pond Club.
Founding Partner Bloomberg Philanthropies is working alongside Artichoke to enhance public engagement with Lumiere London and will host The Heart and Soul of the City, an event at which Lumiere London artists will discuss and debate the life of the city, the public realm and how they can be transformed by communities and artists. For further details see www.visitlondon.com/lumiere.
Artichoke is working with Team London, the Mayor's volunteering programme for London, to recruit over 200 volunteers from across the capital to help make the festival a success. From sharing knowledge of the city and recommending places to eat and drink, to helping audiences discover more about the artworks, this week is the last chance to sign up here: http://volunteerteam.london.gov.uk
(Jim Evans)
