We’re excited to welcome back the Lumiere light festival this week, and see the city transform into an immersive, nocturnal art gallery. Amongst the 37 installations are three which we’re sponsoring, lighting up some of our newest, and most historic buildings.
Visitors to Lumiere will be able to explore the concept of time, from the nanosecond to millennia, with a video-mapped installation entitled Chronos, on our Ogden Centre for Fundamental Physics.
St Mary’s College, one of our oldest colleges, is joining the Lumiere line-up for the first time. Hosting Scattered Light by artist Jim Campbell, the terrace of the college will see a bewitching illusion of moving figures created by over 1,500 LED bulbs.
Finally, our most historic building, Durham Castle, home to University College, will be illuminated with new works from 11 of the UK’s most exciting poets, including Kayo Chingonyi, an Associate Professor in our Department of English Studies. The piece is entitled Anthology-Into the Light.
Kayo has also been recorded reading his piece, so visitors will get the chance to hear him read his work as they view the installation, in what is sure to be an atmospheric, and memorable experience.
Across the city there will be inspiring, thought-provoking and entertaining artworks.
The climate crisis is explored through installations highlighting rising sea levels (Lines), and the impacts of human-led climate change (Imminence). Meanwhile, visitors can be part of the art through interactive pieces by painting the streets of Durham with their smartphone (Colour By Light) and making music (Halo).
In Our Hearts Blind Hope will illuminate Durham Cathedral with an installation inspired by Día de los Muertos, the Mexican Day of the Dead holiday. The music for this immersive installation was recorded by a specially selected ensemble of some of our most talented student musicians.
This year’s Lumiere festival also includes installations beyond Durham City, with installations lighting up landmarks across County Durham including Raby Castle and Finchale Priory.
Lumiere will take place each evening from 18-21 November 2021. Discover the full programme for Lumiere 2021 and plan your visit.
Find out more about Durham University at Lumiere.
Read our interview with Kayo Chingonyi, whose work will form part of Anthology – Into the Light.
We are proud to support the County Durham bid to become UK City of Culture 2025 as principal partner. Find out more and pledge your support here.
Rendering of Chronos by Leslie Epsztein and Camille Gross, a new commission that will be presented at Lumiere 2021.
/prod01/prodbucket01/media/durham-university/central-news-and-events-images/83431-1920X290.jpg)