Winter Lights at Canary Wharf has become a staple of the London calendar for the middle of January each year; they previously had an ice sculpting festival, but this was replaced several years ago by the "Winter Lights" festival. For two weeks from the middle of January, Canary Wharf hosts a light sculpture trail. There are thirteen light sculptures to visit this year and a few permanent light sculptures to visit, and I've been visiting every year since 2016. The event is held over two weeks and ends on 27 January. Keep reading to see the different light sculptures at this year's event.
"Les Oiseaux" - Simon Chevalier: This installation appears to mimic the movements of winged birds. It pays tribute to London's wildlife and species. The objects are a simple blacks and white colour showing the fleeting moment of flight.
"Marbles" - Gertjan Adema: This sculpture appears like a giant marble and shows motion with audio. Unfortunately, this was not working when I visited and seemed to have some electric issues.
"Elantica 'The Boulder'" - Tom&Lien Dekyver: This is a permanent installation that appeared last year and features a glowing boulder that mimics a computer or electronic chip. The natural element features a technology aspect to change reality and perception.
"We Could Meet" - Martin Richman: This is a permanent sculpture that has appeared continuously in the list. Unfortunately, it was not lit this year.
"The Peace Poem" - Emergency Exit and Robert Montgomery: There are two phrases to see, and these commemorate peace since 100 years of World War I.
"Captivated by Colour" - Camille Walala: This permanent piece covers the footbridge, and this year it was additionally illuminated by coloured lights, which increass the perception of the artwork for the festival. The artwork is focused on perception.
"Vessels" - Limbic Cinema: Science and technology and culture create these modern monuments that use lasers to create three-dimensional artworks in pyramids. The patterns created inside the pyramids constantly are changing and projecting.
"Bilophlia" - Frankie Boyle: The patterns in this sculpture replicate the nervous system, which is sourced through the elemnts in nature. This is the bond of the human to the Earth. The lights continue along the tube and then join up together to create a gradual glow.
"In-Between" - Daniel Popescu: Three cubes of light are situated together, and these define the boundaries of technology and nature. The cubes of light and blue with red glows.
"Submergence" - Squidsoup: This sculpture appeared previously in Montgomery Square for Winter Lights a few years ago and was popular. It's an immersive one with sound and motion setting off the different patterns and colours of the reaction.
"Kinetic Perspectives" - Juan Fuerentes: This sculpture uses motion and sound/music to depict the moving orbs of colour, and the geomtric patterns keep changing and adjusting.
"Geist" - This is Loop: This light installation is inspired by "Th Ghost Particle". The installation features an orb surrounded by lights, and the orb changes shape and pattern.
"Idle Time" - Marcus Lyall: The installation is projected onto a building and features doodles of human figures being idle. Being idle is important to human nature and helps with well-being. The figures seem to interact or stand around.
"Light Benches": Although not covered specifically this year, these glowing benches were part of the event for several years but have now become a staple and permanent artwork at Canary Wharf.
"Bit.fall" - Julius Popp: This is on of the permanent light installations that uses water and news outlets to create cascading words using light and water.
"The Clew" - Ottotto: This rd light tunnel helps to transform a foot-bridge walkway into something more unique.
"The Wave of Light" - Those Guys Standing: This interactive installation shows 100 LED light sticks, and as visitors pass by them, the lights shown a little brighter due to the movement. This is a wave effect that is influenced by motion. The installation is held against the railings with the city lights in the background.
"Shine Your Colors" - Tine Beach: This permanent installation of coloured panels has lights that glow onto them and encourages interaction. The artwork equally looks nice in sunshine.
"Neuron" - Juan Fuerentes: This sculpture mimics the neuron connections in the brain. The sculpture has sound and movement of the LED sticks to create a three-dimension pattern effect with colour changes. It shows the neuron as an artistic being and ever-changing in pattern, shape, and colour.
"Sign" - Vendel and De Wolf: Located in Westferry Circus, this installation reminded me of a flame or bonfire with an orange glow reaching to the sky in bright orange lights.
As always, Canary Wharf's "Winter Lights" hosts a couple of areas where visitors can get street food. This year, I opted for the Indian street food, and I had the paneer masala with rice and a delicious warming masala chai.
Previous years of Winter Lights can be seen below:
Canary Wharf Winter Lights 2023
Canary Wharf Winter Lights 2022 - cancelled
Canary Wharf "Connected by Light" 2021
Canary Wharf Winter Lights 2020
Canary Wharf Winter Lights 2019
Winter Lights @ Canary Wharf 2018
Canary Wharf Winter Lights (2017)
Winter Lights @ Canary Wharf (2016)
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