Members of the lighting design and architecture community from all over the world are being invited to attend the festival to examine the relationship between light, architecture and the city consisting of temporary lighting installations and a series of light related events with an overall concept theme of 'theatre'.
The Pool of London is a natural amphitheatre within the city, encompassing the River Thames, bordered by Tower Bridge and London Bridge and including many famous landmarks. A number of iconic landmarks in the area including The Tower of London, Tower Bridge, HMS Belfast and City Hall will be temporarily and spectacularly lit from 4pm-12am every night.
Celebrating the future of lighting in an urban environment, Switched On London aims to raise the awareness of light and re-address the opinion that exterior lighting always leads to wasted energy and light pollution.
The IALD (International Association of Lighting Designers) has involved some of the UK's most celebrated lighting designers who, together with leading manufacturers including Philips Lighting, ERCO and Martin Architectural, will realise these projects. The Pool of London Partnership and The ARC Show are the event's major sponsors, whilst the initiative is also supported by Visit London, the City of London, Southwark Council, More London, Mayor of London, TfL, Port of London Authority, HMS Belfast, Tower of London, St Martins Property, Foster + Partners and New London Architecture.
All concepts for the inaugural event, including those that have not come to fruition, will be part of an exhibition at ARC 07 and will also be given the chance of realisation at a future Switched On London event.
(Lee Baldock)
