Canary Wharf Winter Lights 2020
16th January 2020
Canary Wharf Winter Lights 2020 was the sixth iteration of the Light Festival that features sculptures, structures and installations by some of the most innovative artists and designers around the world, using a wide range of different forms of light technology.
Last year there was a theme around sustainability, however this year there was no specific theme. Despite this, the installations were still a joy to behold.
Featured Art and Artists in this collection:
MI-E DOR DE TINE by The Daisler Association, Middle Dock
This romantic message declares “I miss you”. Whilst there is no perfect translation, this is the closest adaptation for this Romanian saying. It refers to a deeper meaning about longing or missing someone.In Romanian, you would usually say “Mi-e dor de tine” to a loved one, a family member or a close friend, someone with whom you share a close, personal bond.This piece is part of a cultural exchange with Lights On Romania light festival.
ABSORBED BY LIGHT by Gali Mai Lucas, Cabot Square
Take a seat between the three figures of Absorbed by Light, designed by the British artist Gali May Lucas and executed by Berlin-based sculptor Karoline Hinz. Experience how it feels to sit next to the characters on the bench. Although their bodies are physically present, their minds are elsewhere as they exhibit the standard traits of smartphone users: heads bent, fingers typing, their faces lit up by their phone screens.
SHISH-KA-BUOY by Angus Muir Design, Westferry Circus
This fun installation is equally interesting by day as it is under the cover of darkness; during daylight hours, the large landlocked four-and-a-half-metre tall buoys absorb the light and give off a magical glow. By night, thousands of LEDs inside create a whirl of colours and spherical gradients in this installation made from fully recyclable polyethylene marine buoys.
SASHA TREES by Adam Decolight, 10 Bank Street Park
10 Bank Street Park becomes a magical winterscape as we illuminate this beautiful location with glowing fir trees. The striking neon colours of the trees create a fantastic contrast with natural foliage surrounding them.
LACTOLIGHT by Jack Wimperis, Westferry Circus
7,344 recycled plastic milk bottles become individual pixels in a giant low-res video screen. Programmed light depicting colours and patterns combined with a custom built soundscape gives you an encompassing sensory experience. This installation was created to help spread awareness of single use plastic.
DITTO by Ithica Studios, Wren Landing
Ditto is a column of light repeating infinitely above and below the audience. Enter the space and experience light and sound swirling around overhead and underfoot, trailing into infinity and creating beautiful reflections and colours in both daytime and evening.
SQUIGGLE by Angus Muir Design, Jubilee Park
Squiggle is a winding mass of 450 metres of digital neon tubing twisting and turning to fill Jubilee Park. This unique sensory journey is created by the artist’s innovative manipulation of space and sense.Interact with the installation, an abstract reflection of this very multicultural world we live in, by viewing it from all its different angles as you venture through the park.
LIQUID SOUND by Entertainment Effects UK, Cabot Square
Once again, the much-loved fountain in Cabot Square has a makeover for Winter Lights with a stunning display of music and light.
CHROMATIC PLAY by Tine Bench Studio, Jubilee Place
These fun, illuminated sculptures invite you to interact with them. Each glowing creature has alien-like antennae fitted with interactive sensors, so when a visitor is in close proximity their presence is detected and the colours begin to change. Chromatic Play continues Tine Bech Studio’s exploration of the role of play in creating social bonds and how technology increasingly shapes our ideas of public space and the way we interact with one another.
NEON TREE by Hawthorn UK, Canada Square Park
Neon flex will transform a tree into a striking sculpture in the heart of Canada Square Park. This colourful display will shine subtly by day and dazzle by night.
POOLS OF LIGHT with Ballie Ballerson, Jubilee Park
The ponds at Jubilee Park are getting a makeover for Winter Lights. See them transformed by thousands of colourful illuminated orbs, weaving a stunning stream of light and sound through the park.
AFFINITY by Amigo & Amigo, Montgomery Square
Affinity is an immersive, interactive light sculpture inspired by the dazzling complexity and connectivity of the human brain. Each person creates their own unique sensory experience as they step inside an intricate web of 120 interconnected globes representing neurons and memories in the brain. As each globe is activated, colourful light streams flow outwards into the sculpture and link to another globe. A pulsing light passes between the two points; the longer the link is held, the brighter the pulse.
MOUNTAIN OF LIGHT by Angus Muir Design, Wren Landing
Mountain of Light is a monolithic installation, towering to a height of four meters and brought to life by a dramatic repertoire of lighting effects that begin with subtle changes in shade and culminate in an intense mash-up of colours. Each column is packed with computerised graphics that can be controlled by you to create superb effects, so go wild and create 360 degree patterns to run from one side, across, around, down and up the mountain.
THE BRA TREE with Breast Cancer Now, Canada Square Park
Drawing inspiration from a tradition on American ski slopes of throwing your bra onto a tree, Canary Wharf will host their own special illuminated version. The aim of the tree is to raise a smile but also raise much-needed funds for our charity partner Breast Cancer Now, the research and care charity. Breast Cancer Now funds world-class research and life-changing care for anyone affected by breast cancer.
DESIRE by UXU Studio, Crossrail Place
Desire is a playful, sensual design that at first glance looks like giant, red lips. From the side, the image of the lips disappears, and you see a heartbeat instead – a heart beating faster with strong desires. The 1,500 red lights represent the thousands of nerve endings in human lips and the signals they send to the brain when activated, perhaps by a kiss.
TIME & TIDE By Paul & Pute, Columbus Courtyard*
Time & Tide, with its hourglass design and colours inspired by nature, aims to remind us of the urgency of halting the plastic pollution of our oceans. Its form tells us that time is running out to repair this problem before the damage to our planet is irreversible. [Photo from 2019 Canary Wharf Winter Lights]
