The dark days of January are about to become a distant memory in London, where artists from all over the world are preparing to transform the city’s streets with a dazzling display.
Lumiere London returns to the capital on Thursday 18 January for four days of inspirational installations that will reimagine the capital’s appearance in a sea of colour.
The UK’s largest light festival is back for a second year and is once again completely free. The city-wide celebration of creativity, which invites artists to create works that light public spaces and buildings, takes place north and south of the River Thames, with a jam-packed itinerary suitable for the whole family.
Its first instalment, back in January 2016, attracted 1.3 million visitors over four nights in Mayfair, King’s Cross and the West End. This time Lumiere London has cast its net even wider, taking in Fitzrovia, Trafalgar Square, Westminster, Victoria, South Bank and Waterloo.
Commissioned by the Mayor of London, this nocturnal art exhibition promises to quite literally shed in a new light the city’s streets and architecture. More than 50 innovative pieces of work have been crafted by UK and international artists ahead of Thursday’s launch.
Excitement has been building since Lumiere London previewed some of the breath-taking pieces of work we can expect to see. ‘Impulse’ fuses light and music, with illuminated seesaws ready to make an appearance on South Molton Street. It engages with the idea of playing in a public street and explores how architecture can blend with sound.
‘The Wave’ is a constantly-changing pattern of light and sound along Riverside Walkway on the South Bank. Prepare to be amazed by the sight of 40 triangular, interactive, luminous gates which respond to movement, allowing the audience to influence the experience.
Bringing Westminster Abbey to life in eye-popping fashion will be ‘The Light of the Spirit’, which promises to turn the iconic building’s Great West Gate into kaleidoscopic illuminations.
To check out these awe-inspiring pieces of work and many more, visit www.visitlondon.com/lumiere for the full four-day schedule of unmissable events.
** UPDATE **
If you missed it, here’s a great 4k video of London Lumiere 2018. Be sure to check out the next Lumiere …