The start of the year is usually a season of doom and gloom. Filled with post-holiday blues, January seems hopelessly dark no matter what. However, here to brighten up London’s late winter months are a host of eye catching illuminations.
These dazzling installations – by various international artists – are transforming these bleak surroundings through innovative technology. From floating florescent wires and kinetic drones to a mesmerising light whirlpool, we’ve been hypnotised by these glowing spectacles. Here’s to January, the month of light!
Pictured: bit.fall, by German artist Julius Popp on show at Winter Lights festival. This waterfall of letters catches the eye for a mere moment, before dropping into nothingness
Writer: Sujata Burman
The start of the year is usually a season of doom and gloom. Filled with post-holiday blues, January seems hopelessly dark no matter what. However, here to brighten up London’s late winter months are a host of eye catching illuminations.
These dazzling installations – by various international artists – are transforming these bleak surroundings through innovative technology. From floating florescent wires and kinetic drones to a mesmerising light whirlpool, we’ve been hypnotised by these glowing spectacles. Here’s to January, the month of light!
Pictured: bit.fall, by German artist Julius Popp on show at Winter Lights festival. This waterfall of letters catches the eye for a mere moment, before dropping into nothingness
Writer: Sujata Burman
Binary Waves, by LAB[au], at Lumiere London
Regent’s Canal
Made up of 40 undulating illuminated panels, LAB[au]’s touring Binary Waves measures the infrastructural flows in a city. Their electro-magnetic fields transfer kinetic energy which enables them to move, thus organically creating luminous red stripes that are formed by the surrounding aerodynamic activity. Photography: Matthew Andrews. Produced by Artichoke
Binary Waves, by LAB[au], at Lumiere London
Regent’s Canal
Made up of 40 undulating illuminated panels, LAB[au]’s touring Binary Waves measures the infrastructural flows in a city. Their electro-magnetic fields transfer kinetic energy which enables them to move, thus organically creating luminous red stripes that are formed by the surrounding aerodynamic activity. Photography: Matthew Andrews. Produced by Artichoke
Dresses, by Tae Gon Kim, at Lumiere London
King’s Cross
French-Korean artist Tae Gon Kim has taken inspiration from Roland Barthes’ A Lover’s Discourse for his ominously sculptural dresses. Made up of fibre-optic LEDs, the silhouettes alter in hue over time, producing a phantom effect that can also be viewed in window displays at Liberty London. Photography: Matthew Andrews
Dresses, by Tae Gon Kim, at Lumiere London
King’s Cross
French-Korean artist Tae Gon Kim has taken inspiration from Roland Barthes’ A Lover’s Discourse for his ominously sculptural dresses. Made up of fibre-optic LEDs, the silhouettes alter in hue over time, producing a phantom effect that can also be viewed in window displays at Liberty London. Photography: Matthew Andrews
My Light Is Your Light, by Alaa Minawi, at Winter Lights
Jubilee Park, Canary Wharf
The most emotive installation of the group, Lebanese designer Alaa Minawi has created his work as a tribute to suffering Syrian refugees. His delicate wire lighting depicts the walk of a struggling family, capturing the true essence of pain through illumination
My Light Is Your Light, by Alaa Minawi, at Winter Lights
Jubilee Park, Canary Wharf
The most emotive installation of the group, Lebanese designer Alaa Minawi has created his work as a tribute to suffering Syrian refugees. His delicate wire lighting depicts the walk of a struggling family, capturing the true essence of pain through illumination
The Light of the Spirit by Patrice Warrener at Lumiere London
Westminster Abbey
Known for his chromolithe technique of painting, French lighting artist Patrice Warrener brings his reverent style to London’s historic Westminster Abbey. Highlighting the West Front, Warener outlines the significant sculptural figures on the building in a fluorescent colours, emphasising their spiritual importance
The Light of the Spirit by Patrice Warrener at Lumiere London
Westminster Abbey
Known for his chromolithe technique of painting, French lighting artist Patrice Warrener brings his reverent style to London’s historic Westminster Abbey. Highlighting the West Front, Warener outlines the significant sculptural figures on the building in a fluorescent colours, emphasising their spiritual importance
Infinity Pools, by Stephen Newby, at Winter Lights
Middle Dock, Canary Wharf
Appearing as if a whirlpool of lights, Stephen Newby’s piece is formed using an ’infinity mirror’ illusion. The reflecting light floats on the surface but gives the impression of descending deep into the water, with a calming – yet mesmerising – effect
Infinity Pools, by Stephen Newby, at Winter Lights
Middle Dock, Canary Wharf
Appearing as if a whirlpool of lights, Stephen Newby’s piece is formed using an ’infinity mirror’ illusion. The reflecting light floats on the surface but gives the impression of descending deep into the water, with a calming – yet mesmerising – effect
