Lux Helsinki light festival begins brightening up the winter this Saturday
Photo: N2 Albiino
Familiar buildings and spaces will be transformed into unique works of urban art from 6 to 10 January 2018. This year for the first time Lux Helsinki will also present a selection of the light installations in the morning for commuters and other early birds to enjoy.
The official Lux Helsinki route begins with Micro Gallery, a series of tiny light installations around the Runeberg Monument in the centre of the Esplanade Park. The Micro Gallery presents a wide range of video, light and concept art by numerous artists. For example, festival-goers will be able to see the light of a sunset that has been stored in a can and meet a tiny little Japanese cowboy.
From Esplanade Park the route continues to the historic Erottaja fire station and then onwards via the Kasarmitori square and the Espa Stage to Senate Square. The route comprises 11 light installations and has been designed as a dramaturgical series that progresses logically from one installation to the next from start to finish. Along the way Lux Helsinki presents a wide range of light art, from UV graffiti to video projections that manipulate architecture, as well as topical works that address social issues.
Festival programme includes special events and participating restaurants
In addition to light installations, Lux Helsinki offers a full programme of events throughout the festival. At the Light Paint Box in Senate Square, for example, renowned light artists from Finland and abroad will paint fantastic light paintings around members of the public. At the Helsinki City Museum, the Lux Helsinki light artists will reveal the stories behind their installations on the opening weekend. Along the route, the Design Museum and Museum of Finnish Architecture will have extended opening hours until 10pm throughout the festival, as will the Helsinki City Museum.
At the Light in Helsinki 2018 seminar, members of the public can listen to a panel discussion on the topic of how light can be used to liven up the urban environment. In addition, Sweden’s most distinguished light expert and technology historian Jan Garnert will present a lecture on the history of light and darkness in cities. The popular Bring Your Own Beamer happening will also be held for the second time in connection with Lux Helsinki. Participants will get to present their own light and video art in a cool industrial club setting at Kaapelitehdas, Helsinki’s iconic cable factory.
Participating Lux Helsinki Eat restaurants will once again offer unique menus that have been specially created for the festival. This year for the first time Lux Helsinki will also present a selection of the light installations in the morning for commuters and other early birds to enjoy; Lux Morning will take place on the last day of the festival, Wednesday 10 January, from 7am to 9am. The full programme and schedule can be found here.
The Italian installation that was meant to open the festival this year has unfortunately been cancelled for technical reasons.
Lux Helsinki, 6-10 January 2018, 17–22
Lux Morning (installations 1, 9, 10, 11), 10 January 2018, 7am–9am
This event is free of charge, fully accessible and open to visitors of all ages.
Partners: OP Helsinki, SATO, Sun Effects
Network partners: City, Granlund, Johan & Nyström, Local Crew
Production partners: Bright Group
In collaboration with: Hungarian Cultural Centre
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The Lux Helsinki light festival is organised by the City of Helsinki. The event is coordinated by Producer Emma Lumme and produced by Sun Effects Oy. The artistic directors of the festival are Ilkka Paloniemi and Matti Jykylä.
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Media contacts:
Annina Pikkumäki
Mellakka Helsinki
+358 40 575 5776
annina@mellakkahelsinki.fi
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