More than 20 pioneering international artists have been commissioned to transform buildings and streets of the capital for the first Lumiere London festival, free event that will take place over four winter evenings.
Designed to chase away the January blues and show the city in a new light, this major new festival will feature installations for some of the city's most iconic buildings and locations on a grand scale. Lumiere London will explore London's urban landscape and architecture from Leicester Square to Piccadilly, St James's, Carnaby Street and Oxford Circus in London's West End, to the German Gymnasium and Granary Square at King's Cross.
Aimed at Londoners and visitors to the capital at what is traditionally one of the quietest times of the year Lumiere London will invite people to explore and rediscover the city and all its attractions.
Using the city as their canvas, commissioned artists from across the world will create a major outdoor showcase of artworks made from light that will underpin London's status as a cultural destination.
Lumiere London is produced by Artichoke and supported by the Mayor of London and VisitLondon.com, with founding support from Atom Bank, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Heart of London Business Alliance and King's Cross, and additional support from a raft of partners and sponsors, including Westminster City Council.
Sarah Porter, chief executive of Heart of London Business Alliance, covering Piccadilly, St James's, Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square said, "London's West End will take centre stage in this phenomenal lights festival with some of London's most iconic visitor destinations, including Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus, set to be transformed. With high numbers of visitors expected into the West End, the spectacular displays will give Londoners and visitors alike the chance to take a fresh new look at these historic and world renowned landmarks, and the diverse range of businesses the area has to offer."
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.
In advance of Lumiere London, during December, Londoners and visitors to the capital will get a taster of what is to come. King's Cross has commissioned Creatmosphere (UK) to make Let it Snow, an installation made in collaboration with Hello Wood using 365 wooden sledges.The full Lumiere London programme will be revealed in January.
(Jim Evans)
