Back for its 5th year, Winter Lights 2019 was in Canary Wharf until 26 January 2019. For 2020 you’ll be able to enjoy the free light displays from 16-25 January  (4pm-10pm).

Here are some pictures of my 2019 favourites;

COLOUR MOVES BY ROMBOUT FRIELING LAB

Working from the principle that ‘colour doesn’t exist’, this creation is incredibly trippy. As soon as you think you’ve decided on what’s green, it suddenly turns to red. I don’t know how it works, but it’s pretty spectacular.

HEOFON LIGHT MAZE BY BEN BUSCHE OF BRUT DELUXE

Continuing the disorientation is Ben Busche’s piece. A delight to wander through (if you can dodge everyone else taking selfies) it’s just the right balance of intimate and playful.

WHALE GHOST BY PITAYA

My favourite piece from the whole festival is this one. Photos really don’t do it justice. The whole skeletal body moves like a real whale gliding through water and the sounds are mesmerising. Coupled with the nighttime reflections in the docks below, its magical.

SASHA TREES BY ADAM DECOLIGHT

Easily the most photogenic piece, Decolight’s trees are simply gorgeous, multi-coloured bulbs flash so subtly you don’t even notice them changing colour. It happily stretches the festive feelings into January.

SUBMERGENCE BY SQUIDSOUP

It’s slow to get going, but actually the build up makes the finale spectacular. dots of hanging lights gradually illuminate until they all burst alive at once. Coupled with a throbbing soundtrack the Squidsoup have created a wonderfully immersive experience here.

FLOATING ISLANDS BY MÜRÜDE MEHMET

Made from recycled bottles, Mehmet has worked with local Tower Hamlets schools to create these fun neon creatures. Floating along the water feature in Jubilee Park they look quite silly – in a nice way – but of course they’re also a warning against the accumulation of single-use plastic.

PRISMATICA BY RAW DESIGN IN COLLABORATION WITH ATOMIC3

Perfectly positioned outside the main exit of Canary wharf tube station, these pieces are great for kids (and big kids) because you can push them into a spin. Once they’re turning they beam out multi colours reflections drenching bystanders in a warm glow.

Winter Lights 2020 will take place between 16-25 January. The official website is here. You can find out more about Arts and other events in Canary Wharf here. There’s also a handy map you can download here.

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