London Lumiere 2018

Lumiere was back across London last weekend with over 50 installations spread across north and south of the city. It feels like a long time since the last one but it was only 2016.

London Lumiere 2018
Vertigo: The Wave, Southbank

It certainly got the crowds into London from the 17th to 21st January despite the cold & rain. The lights of the art installations gets switched on at 5.30 until 10.30pm. Artists from around the world have created these works of art to wow people and to get rid of those winter blues.

Its one of the biggest art events in the UK and is now in more locations across the capital than 2016.

On the opening night I tried to get to as many of them as possible. I started off at Kings Cross, which is a part of London that has had lots of regeneration, over the last 5 years. It has changed a lot for the better. Then I ventured to Goodge Street, where a few more installations can be found. Eventually down to the West End and across to the Southbank. I managed to get to 15 on the first day. On the Saturday and Sunday I will do most of the rest, well that was the plan but the weather put an end to this.

Below are some of the pictures I took on the first night with more on my Flickr.  Check out the links below and leave a comment on the best ones you saw. Lumiere was split into zones, Kings Cross, West End, South bank, Victoria, Mayfair, Westminster.

About Lumiere

Lumiere London is free and it is run by the charity Artichoke, this is the 2nd time they have run it. They have a useful brochure which helps the charity to fund the amazing art.

Kings Cross

Always the first place to visit here is the information centre which had a 3D model of the area. Lots of maps were given out and the staff had all the latest info. There are 11 installations here.

IFO (Identified Flying Object) by Jacques Rival

This a permanent feature near Kings Cross station a giant birdcage, Jacques Rival is a French artist and architect who uses different design tools to create surprising urban installations. The purpose of his work is to encourage the public to explore unknown areas and enrich everyday life by adding a hint of the unexpected.

London Lumiere 2018
Jacques Rival: IFO (Identified Flying Object)

DOT by Philippe Morvan

Called the dots by French artist Morvan a bank of 175 light bulbs pulsate to music especially written by Solomon Grey for Lumiere. An ever-changing panorama of horizontal and vertical lines, spheres and cubes.

London Lumiere 2018
Philippe Morvan: DOT, Kings Cross
London Lumiere 2018
Philippe Morvan: DOT, Kings Cross

Tilt by Lampounette 

Pays homage to the iconic desk lamp by French artistic company who produce a lot of these installations around the world.

London Lumiere 2018
TILT: Lampounette, Kings Cross

Waterlicht by Daan Roosegaarde 

Inspired by our changing relationship to water, the risk we all face if immediate action is not taken to tackle global warming and rising sea levels, Dutch artist and innovator Daan Roosegaarde transforms Granary Square into an ethereal dream-like landscape.

London Lumiere 2018
Daan Roosegaarde: Waterlicht, Kings Cross

Aether by Architecture Social Club

Laser lights scatter light against metal rods, glittering mass grows, rolls and splinters in reaction to the soundscape created by music producer Max Cooper from the Architecture Social Club. They specialise in bespoke art collaboration projects around the world.

London Lumiere 2018
Architecture Social Club with Max Cooper: Aether
London Lumiere 2018
Bar at Kings Cross Lumiere

Fitzrovia

Droplets by Ulf Pedersen

12 animated droplet each toned to a different note, play cross the square. Originally commissioned for the 50th anniversary of the MAC in Birmingham, this subtle installation has a mostly random pattern of sounds, with the occasional melodic element coming into play. UK based artist Pedersen produces work across the world he transforms the act of looking into a physical experience and is carefully placed to respond to the raw materials of his chosen site.

London Lumiere 2018
Ulf Pedersen: Droplets, Fitzrovia

CONTROL NO CONTROL by Daniel Iregui

A cube in Whitfield Gardens where you can touch and the LEDs will react. It uses five different states of sound and visual form, each exploring a different geometry and pattern. Produced by an Interactive design company Iregui based in Canada, founded by Daniel Iregui. They create artistic interactive pieces of art around the world.

West End

Nightlife by Lantern Company with Jo Pocock

Leicester square is brought to life with a secret garden which plays on the relationship between wild spaces and urban city life. UK artist Jo Pocock designed the lanterns with the Lantern company making them. Catch them at Thornton Heath light festival, supported by London Borough of Croydon after Lumiere.

London Lumiere 2018
Lantern Company with Jo Pocock: Nightlife, West End
London Lumiere 2018
Lantern Company with Jo Pocock: Nightlife, West End

Southbank

There are 10 installations here spread around, I only got to the Wave.

The Wave by Vertigo
40 triangles / gates make up a the wave near the National theatre. Mesmerising interactive place where the faster you walk through the gates the bigger the change in light and sound. Built by a Danish company originally done for a festival.

London Lumiere 2018
Vertigo: The Wave, Southbank
London Lumiere 2018
Vertigo: The Wave, Southbank

The Verdict

My initial impressions were that they were bigger and more spectacular in 2016. This could be down to how amazing it was back then, having it in London for the first time. I don’t think the building projections worked too well. Mainly because it needs to be much darker, the buildings are brightly lit anyway. I always love planning the journey and the mobile app was brilliant. Well done to Visit London for building the app.

Thanks for reading, check out the further images on the links below, leave a comment below on what you thought about London Lumiere.

Links

Flickr – httpss://www.flickr.com/photos/alalchan/albums/72157661234693613
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/alalchan
London Lumiere – httpss://www.visitlondon.com/lumiere/index

Recommended

Luke Jerram’s Mars in the Painted Hall, London, UK

December Events 2024

Welcome to my December newsletter! Another year is passing, and looking back, it has been a very productive year for me, with over 250 events and over 130,000 photos shot. Plus, there is still one month to go! How has your year been?

November Events 2024

Welcome to my November newsletter! I hope you are well and looking forward to the winter months. This month will have lots of colourful lights, with fireworks and Christmas lights switched on.

London Fashion Week Portraits

October Events 2024

Welcome to my October newsletter! Autumn is in full swing, and the vibrant colors of the season are everywhere. The leaves are falling, and it’s the perfect time to grab your camera and capture the beauty all around you. Let’s dive into this colorful month together!

Advertising

  • Sale! Andrew Lalchan Calendar 2025 - front

    Calendar 2025 – Photographer Andrew Lalchan

    Original price was: £19.99.Current price is: £11.99.

    Calendar 2025 – Photographer Andrew Lalchan

    Original price was: £19.99.Current price is: £11.99.

    A Year of Photography: Each month features a dynamic and visually striking photograph, from press photocalls to model shoots in 2024. Perfect for photography lovers and those with an eye for elegance, the 2025 Andrew Lalchan Calendar brings the excitement of the spotlight right to your wall.

    Eco-Friendly Production: Committed to sustainability, the calendar uses eco-friendly inks and materials, ensuring your purchase supports environmental responsibility.

    This 2025 calendar is out on the 10th of October, 2024. There will only be a short run, so grab them while you can.

    An A4 portrait calendar hangs on the wall, printed on  300gsm gloss Eco Premium paper with front cover gloss laminate.

    Size : 210mm x 297mm

    FREE POST UK

     

    50 in stock

    Quick View
  • Sale! Digital Downloads

    Digital Download

    Original price was: £15.00.Current price is: £5.50.

    Digital Download

    Original price was: £15.00.Current price is: £5.50.

    Digital download of one of my photographs.

    Quick View
  • Cassiobury Park Fireworks

    Cassiobury Park Fireworks 2017

    £14.99£95.99

    Cassiobury Park Fireworks 2017

    £14.99£95.99

    The stunning display of fireworks this year would make an ideal gift from Watford.

    This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
    Quick View
  • Lord Mayor Show Fireworks

    Lord Mayors Fireworks Show

    £14.99£95.99

    Lord Mayors Fireworks Show

    £14.99£95.99

    Looking towards St Paul’s Cathedral along the Thames when the Lord Mayors Show Fireworks took place.

    This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
    Quick View
  • London Eye with love

    London Eye with love

    £14.99£95.99

    London Eye with love

    £14.99£95.99

    An iconic feature of the London skyline it especially looks good when the colour changes as it does during valentines week.

    This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
    Quick View
  • Rose drop

    Rose drop

    £14.99£95.99

    Rose drop

    £14.99£95.99

    Rain drops on roses

    This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
    Quick View