Blogs.
Top Ten Highlights of Light Night in Leeds
17th September 2021
Light Needs Leeds 2021 promises to be a celebration of the world we live in with our Back to Nature theme.
There is so much to see and do but here are our top 10 highlights:
ARC – Artist – Greenaway & Greenaway
Thursday 14th & Friday 15th October – 7.30pm – 10.30pm (repeats throughout the evening)
Greenaway & Greenaway’s Arc will take over the Queens Hotel with a site specific, projection spectacle that invites visitors of all ages to bask in the forces of nature and pays homage to the beauty and power of the world around us. Set to an original audio composition this short, dynamic film will captivate, electrify and surprise.
Kindly supported by Channel 4, Queens Hotel, Park Plaza Hotel, and Schroders.
Sentinel – Artist – Richard Evans
Thursday 14th & Friday 15th October – 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Live performances at 18:30, 19:15, 20:00, 20:45, 21:30, 22:15 (15 mins)
Electronic music composer Richard Evans presents a segment of his spectacular audio-visual show SENTINEL, inspired by the planet’s most urgent issue – climate change. An original soundtrack of analogue synths, electro-rhythms & live vocals accompany data visualisations from award-winning artist Valentina D’efilippo, especially created video content and laser lighting. A captivating event in the stunning setting of Victoria Hall, which features the performers inside a cube surrounded by gauze screens. To book tickets and guarantee entry please visit www.lightnightleeds.co.uk.
Doors open 15 minutes before the show.
Gaia – Artist – Luke Jerram
Thursday 14th & Friday 15th October – 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Gaia is a stunning replica of our planet, created using 120dpi detailed NASA imagery of the Earth’s surface. The large-scale sculpture by artist Luke Jerram provides an incredible opportunity to view Earth as it might be seen from space, it all its beauty and fragility, floating in three dimensions. A reminder of how precious our planet is and how we must protect it for future generations.
(Gaia by Luke Jerram)
Creature invasion – Artist – Designs in Air
Thursday 14th & Friday 15th October – 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Strange, giant tentacles have been spotted emerging from some familiar city centre buildings. These mysterious creatures have invaded Victoria Zone, but what are they and where are they from? An underwater world or an alien planet? Look up to see if you can spot evidence of them inside Victoria Quarter and Victoria Gate. Why are they here and what do they want in our city?! A colourful and playful installation on a grand scale by UK artists Designs in Air.
Sponsored by with Victoria Leeds.
Whale Ghost – Artist – Pitaya
Thursday 14th & Friday 15th October – 6.30pm – 10.30pm
An 18m long kinetic and light sculpture that recalls big marine mammals, or fossil skeletons as they are usually seen in natural history museums. This moving installation invites the audience to spend a moment to think about the impact of mankind on our biodiversity and witness the poetic dance of what could be the ghost of the last remaining Whale. Supported by Allied London.
Part of the Waterways Trail.
Lightening Catchers – Artist – Seb Lee-Delisle
Thursday 14th & Friday 15th October – 7pm – 10.30pm
Throughout Light Night the Civic Hall will be at the mercy of nature, being regularly hit by bolts of lightning. Harness the power of nature by capturing this laser projected lighting with a custom-built lightning rod filled with super bright LEDS. If you catch a bolt your rod will explode with light and sound! Fun and safe for all the family.
(Lightning Catchers by Seb Lee-Delisle)
Mumurations – Artist – Shared Space Sound and Light
Thursday 14th & Friday 15th October – 7pm – 10.30pm
On Light Night windows on the façade Kirkstall Abbey will be transformed into a canvas for a projection-based exploration of starling murmurations. Brighton-based collective Shared Space and Light have been inspired by the flocking patterns of these birds and their awe-inspiring displays right in the heart of our urban environments. Murmurations are a powerful reminder of the wonder of nature, and this beautiful projection work on the impressive Abbey building reveals the beauty in our immediate environment and reconnects us to the natural world. After watching Murmurations why not join in with some family friendly creative activities and contribute to growing light installations in the grounds of the Abbey.
Polar – Artist – Gemma Wood (Being Now Here)
Thursday 14th & Friday 15th October – 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Head to Granary Wharf to find these life-sized polar bear sculptures, magnificent yet poignant, as they try to navigate their changing landscape. Broken up pieces of textile ice delicately sewn with printed decoration depict the warming oceans. As polar bears are added to the ‘vulnerable to extinction’ list, we appreciate and celebrate the awe-inspiring creatures and reflect on how losing this landscape, ultimately affects our own.
Sponsored by ASK Richardson.
Part of the Waterways Trail.
Splinter – Artist – Jack World & Ottomata
Thursday 14th & Friday 15th October – 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Canadian artist studios Jack World & Ottomata have worked in collaboration to bring a new large-scale installation Splinter to Leeds. This series of five giant interactive monoliths will transform the urban environment of Millennium Square with a futuristic ‘stone circle’. Take control of one of the monoliths using hand gestures and create enthralling abstract moving art works.
Commissioned in partnership with PQDS in Montreal, Canada.
(Splinter by Jack World and Ottomata)
The Nectary – Artist – Alison Smith and Dr Chris Hassall
Thursday 14th & Friday 15th October – 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Visit “The Nectary” to immerse yourself in nature and hear “the hum of the earth” as you mimic a pollinating insect, moving from flower to flower. Created by Leeds based artist Alison Smith and Dr Chris Hassall, lecturer in Animal Biology at the University of Leeds, this new light and sound installation explores what we can gain from listening to nature, both for our own wellbeing and to develop understanding of the delicate ecosystems of which we are a part.