Lightpool Festival 2023

A celebration of art, light, music and performance

20 - 28 OCTOBER 2023

visitblackpool/lightpoolfestival

WELCOME TO THE MAGICAL LIGHTPOOL FESTIVAL 2023

A CELEBRATION OF YOUR IMAGINATION! - THE MOST PRECIOUS AND UNIQUE THING WE ALL HAVE. AS YOU WANDER THROUGH THIS ENCHANTING EXPERIENCE, LET YOUR IMAGINATION TAKE CENTRE STAGE AND GUIDE YOU TOWARDS INFINITE POSSIBILITIES.

This year’s festival features a line-up of extraordinary global and local artists who have created stunning, interactive installations, mesmeric light shows, and spectacular 3D projections that will transform your world with pure joy and delight.

Premiering exclusively in Blackpool, Laurence LewellynBowen’s resplendent The Gardens of Baroque Delights will leave audiences enraptured and captivated by an astonishingly glorious and fabulous fantasy floral light spectacular; the intricate architecture of the Sacred Heart Church will act as the canvas for a new installation from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama; Hotaru Visual Guerrilla flood Blackpool Tower with a projectionmapping spectacular in an imagined world blending nature and technology; and Medusae, our amazing interactive installation, features the most vibrant and mesmerising jellyfish you’ve ever seen!

We are delighted to welcome to Blackpool international work: From the Netherlands, Studio Toers’ stunning Firefly Field, a nocturnal dynamic

delight and interactive scene that triggers viewers curiosity and fascination; French avant garde artist Stephane Masson Supercube interactive video installation; and Parabolic Lightcloud from Australia a light sculpture inspired by the marine environment and sea corals.

We look forward to journeying together at Lightpool Festival 2023, to Blackpool and beyond; let’s see where your imagination can take you!

PHIL HOLMES ARTISTIC DIRECTORLIGHTPOOL

“Welcome to the bold, bright and brilliant world of the Lightpool Festival 2023, where our imagination meets a fabulous fusion of the world’s best light installations and artistic wonders, woven together to take you on a journey of unparalleled delight and sheer spectacle.

“This year, we are immensely proud of the continued development of the Lightpool Festival and excited that Blackpool Illuminations Lightpool programme is now a part of the Arts Council’s National Portfolio. This has given us a tremendous opportunity to collaborate with artists and partners both nationally and internationally to present the best contemporary light artwork of the day to an Illuminations audience made up of millions of locals and visitors each year.

“It all adds up to a wonderful celebration of new ideas and fantastic experiences with fun for all the family.”

CLLR LYNN WILLIAMSLEADER OF BLACKPOOL COUNCIL

CONTENTS

SUPERCUBE

GARDENS

MICRO

SPIN ME A YARN

ODYSSEY

MEDUSAE

INVASION

FIREFLY FIELD

BIG BIRD & SPIRO

TOWER AND GOLDEN MILE LIGHTSHOW

THE GRUNDY AT LIGHTPOOL

TOWER PROJECTIONS

CREATIVE CONFERENCE

LIGHTQUAKE

BUTTERFLY BALL WITH SILENT DISCO

SIDESHOWS AND CURIOS

CARNIVAL MAGIC

LUMIDOGS

LIGHTLAB & DIGILAB

PARTNERS AND SPONSORS / EVALUATION

ART TRAIL MAP

VISITOR INFORMATION

PLANNING YOUR NIGHT

Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and partners, everything in the festival is free. Our events and art installations take place between 20-28 October, but our performance programme is not available for all dates, so please check the dates.

OPENING TIMES

Lightpool art trail is open each night 20-28 October between 18:00 and 22:00. ‘The Grundy at Lightpool’ is only available during the day, so please check the programme for opening times. Some of the artworks may experience large queues, so please be prepared to wait. The Tower Projections and Odyssey are shown nightly from 6pm.

GETTING HERE

Due to the popularity of the festival, there may be traffic delays arriving and leaving the event; take extra time to arrive. We recommend if travelling by car to park in the southern car parks and use the tramway to travel to the event. Alternative public transport via the rail systems and buses are also recommended.

If travelling to the event by car, we strongly advise parking up early. Most central car parks are usually full a couple of hours before the event starts and roads, including the Promenade, can become heavily congested.

TICKETS

Tickets are required for the Butterfly Ball at the Winter Gardens and Carnival Magic at Blackpool Tower Ballroom. Booking is required for Lumidogs workshops, and the Creative Conference at The Imperial Hotel.

All events are free and can be booked at:

lightpool.eventbrite.co.uk

ASSISTANCE

Lightpool ambassadors are located along the art trail and on the Tower Festival Headland.

All information is correct at the time of printing. For the most up-to-date information please visit: visitblackpool.com/ lightpoolfestival

AQUALUX

ARTIST: PHIL HOLMES FOR LIGHTPOOL FESTIVAL (UK)

An 8m by 3m creative lighting installation composed of 48 unfilled water containers, which typically hold 1,000 litres of water each, specially adapted to create a stunning, transportable and ecofriendly light feature to raise the importance of water.

Did you know the average person uses the same amount of water these containers hold within the space of a year? And that’s only at home! Our great grandparents managed with only three containers.

Aqualux is an eye-opening feature with an educational twist, so make sure you catch a glimpse of it.

FUN FACTS

• Water is the only substance on Earth that is present in all three states of matteras a solid, liquid or gas.

• Hoses and sprinklers typically use about 1,000 litres of water an hour – that’s one of our containers.

• While nearly 7 per cent of the world is covered by water, only 2.5 percent of it is fresh.

• 75% of a living tree is water.

• A jellyfish and a cucumber are each 95% water.

I CAUGHT A...

ARTIST: STÉPHANE MASSON (FRANCE)

I caught a...proud owl, solitary cloud... These are just some of the images captured by iconoclastic artist Stéphane Masson.

As night falls, you will discover the curiosities exhibited in a cage erected in the street so as to enchant passers-by. Since it left the workshop, this weird and wonderful zoo has evolved and is ready to come to life before our eyes.

The artist admits that trapping natural creatures in this way is a controversial practice but puts this consideration aside so we can take a peek at his fascinating digital zoo. This immersive visual experience also makes us aware of the blurred line between reality and fiction: the cloud may be imprisoned but our imagination is set free.

FUN FACTS

Stéphane Masson first built a small-scale model of “J’ai attrapé un...” during the pandemic so that he could set up his mini digital zoo in hospitals and care homes in Toulouse. It was a poetic change of scene for patients and care home residents.

STÉPHANE MASSON

A master in the art of subverting everyday objects, Stéphane Masson draws inspiration from the street arts company Royal de Luxe and the video artist and stage designer, Pierrick Sorrin. His use of video tricks to bring out the best in objects fulfils his deep-down desire to add a touch of eccentricity and magic to our mundane lives. Hailing from Toulouse, he has been a regular participant in the Festival of Lights since 2010.

He has showcased his artworks - Voiture Aquarium, Super(s) Box(s) and Lampadaire à bisous - in China, the UK and the UAE. Stéphane Masson belongs to the La Trame collective which has been combining the talents of audio-visual and film experts since 1990. Creation is their raison d’être, but they are also keen to promote and educate people in visual images.

A DAILY PERFORMANCE OF HOME

ARTIST: LEFTCOAST (UK)

A tale of two houses, 11 artists, and all the people who live nearby.

LeftCoast presents A Daily Performance of Home - a captivating light and film installation co-created by writer Sarah Butler, architectural designer Ecaterina Stefanescu, and film company, Huckleberry Films.

Kettle, curtains, cups - the immersive experience explores the magic and poetry found in our everyday rituals, and seeks wisdom from the ordinary, the bits in between.

“The house was the line, running through everything, everything started from there.”

PARABOLIC LIGHTCLOUD

ARTIST: AMIGO AND AMIGO (AUSTRALIA)

Parabolic LightCloud is a light sculpture inspired by the marine environment and sea corals. This cloud of light is constructed from 800 metres of woven rope recycled from discarded plastic bottles, and features over 1,000 LED lights, with 20 unique light animations. The design of the Parabolic Cloud itself, references the Fibonacci spiral, a mathematical sequence found in nature and considered the golden ratio for perfect balance in all living things.

FUN FACTS

• This cloud of light is constructed from 800 metres of woven rope recycled from discarded plastic bottles

AMIGO AND AMIGO

amigo and amigo founded in 2012 - is a Sydney-based artist studio with an extensive background in sculpture and industrial design. Passionate about lighting and experimental forms, our body of work showcases our ability to use light and materials to transform spaces and engage the public. Ever important to be playful, engaging, and inclusive.

Our desire, creativity, and technical proficiency has led our projects to become larger in scale and technical complexity. Our artistic vision is to continuously explore the transformation of environments into memorable experiences, inviting real audience interaction with the work. The amigos’ installation work has been featured internationally throughout Asia , South America, Europe and the Middle East. Extensive examples can be viewed at amigoandamigo.com

Glasdon are proud to sponsor the ‘Parabolic Lightcloud’ sculpture, as featured in Lightpool Festival 2023.

SERAPHIC ARTIST: DAN SHORTEN (UK)

The intricate architecture of the Sacred Heart Church will act as the canvas for a new installation from the Guildhall School. Visuals will be geometrical and particlebased animations that are designed to complement and enhance the church’s detailed structures. The artwork will strive to maintain harmony with the architectural elements, transforming them into a dynamic spectacle rather than overshadowing their inherent beauty.

This fusion of modern technology with historical architecture isn’t just visually stunning but also

symbolic. It represents the juxtaposition of tradition and innovation, the physical and the metaphysical, and the tangible and the imagined.

Guildhall School are extremely grateful to Canon Bob - Sacred Heart Church.

DAN SHORTEN

Dan Shorten is an awardwinning multimedia designer specialising in projection-based artworks. He has created many largescale projection artworks for a range of clients including: Barbican Centre, BIPAF Busan, Blackpool

Illuminations, British Museum, CSU Summer Arts (USA), Glastonbury Festival, GLOW Festival (Italy), Guildhall Yard (City of London), LUX Helsinki (Finland), Oxford City Council, The Rothschild Foundation, Tower Bridge and Tower of London. He is the Creative Director of Guildhall Live Events at the prestigious Guildhall School.

LUTN SPARK

Light Up The North (LUTN) is a network of northern light festivals which have come together to share their collective expertise to support both the development of the partner festivals and the wider sector. Through regional, national and international networking and collaboration, LUTN nurtures artistic ambition through artist and producer development, co-commissioning and joint fundraising.

The capacity and depth of cultural practice within the network enables LUTN to support emerging artists, explore technical innovations and create aspirational work to deliver a compelling offer for audiences.

lightupthenorth.com

SHINE

The SHINE programme aims to nurture and develop new talent, giving artists the opportunity to exhibit or perform new work at a number of Light Up The North festivals. Artists are selected through an open-call process and will typically be awarded bursaries of up to £15,000 to realise their new artwork.

As well as financial support, each artist also receives a full induction to the programme, as well as training and mentoring from across the LUTN partnership. LUTN work directly with commissioned artists to support their development, with guidance in areas such as marketing, finance, production, risk assessments and fundraising.

The SPARK programme aims to nurture and develop artists working with light by supporting new and emerging artists through a bespoke package of opportunities provided by LUTN members, and focused on increasing inclusivity and diversity in the sector.

SPARK is an opportunity for early-career artists wanting to develop their practice in light-based and digital work for light festivals. Across two weekends the project will offer up to six artists the opportunity to be supported through a bespoke programme of workshops, networking events and talks scheduled to complement two LUTN partner festivals.

POLYRHYTHMS

ARTIST: AXOLOTL (UK)

Polyrhythms is a new artwork by Axolotl Creative. A percussive soundtrack interacts with mesmerising, glowing patterns of light chasing around large concentric polygon structures representing various polyrhythmic beats. Polyrhythms fuses the visual language of light art with music theory to create a fascinating sculptural piece, inviting the audience to both enjoy it as a captivating visual, but also to explore the underlying concept that inspired it. Axolotl aim to create artwork that engages as well as entertains, leaving a legacy of education and inspiration across the breadth of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths) whilst creating work that is innovative, exciting and vividly beautiful.

AXOLOTL CREATIVE

Axolotl are a group of creatives, technologists and designers who have come together through their passion for light art, sculpture, technology and the sciences. They have freelanced for the last 15 years with some of the biggest arts companies and art tech events in the UK and have joined forces to form “Axolotl” to create work that is both visually stunning and has purpose and meaning at its core. Creating work that is innovative, exciting and vividly beautiful as art, but also leaves a legacy of education and inspiration across the breadth of STEAM.

A SHINE 2023 artist.

SUPERCUBE ARTIST: STÉPHANE MASSON (FRANCE)

Supercube comprises 241 glass jars stacked neatly in a row.

Behind each illuminated jar is a different miniature tableau, populated by unique characters including a laughing baby, a pink elephant, a dancing man, a giraffe. Every now and then, images of the public are conjured up out of nowhere to appear in the Supercube. Explore and be astonished!

STÉPHANE MASSON

French artist Stéphane Masson has been hijacking everyday objects for art projects since 2004. Devoted to injecting craziness into our everyday lives, his previous works include The Aquarium Car (La Voiture Aquarium), Kissing Lamps (Les Lampadiares a Bisous) and interactive video recording, The Box of Words.

GARDENS OF BAROQUE DELIGHTS

ARTIST: LAURENCE LLEWELYN-BOWEN (UK)

The Room of Baroque Delights is Laurence’s firstever art installation piece and uses four of his fantastical and romantic Arcadian landscape paintings as a creative jumping-off point.

Using photo reels of the paintings that captured each day’s artwork from first sketch to final glazing, the installation welcomes viewers into Laurence’s creative process.

The paintings themselves each explore Laurence’s deeply-held love for art history and his passion for the theatrical and powerful drama of the Baroque period. It was a time when spectacular artistic effects were expressively utilised with highly-symbolic power.

Disentangling the references and symbolic motifs is something Laurence suggests should be up to each viewer, encouraging a particular and extremely personal read of the piece.

LAURENCE LLEWELYN-BOWEN

Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen is a classically-trained fine artist with experience in both the public and private client design world. Although best known for his stints as a presenter on shows such as ‘Changing Rooms’ and ‘The Holiday Programme’ in the 90’s, Laurence has been

married to maximalism since he was a child.

His love of pattern and design accumulated during a Fine Art degree at Camberwell School of Arts (now a constituent college of the University of Arts London). This degree left Laurence with a steady hand but a bigger ego... He took his new-found knowledge with him to a variety of

design companies and TV shows before establishing Llewelyn-Bowen Design in 1998. Since then, pattern has remained the key component to every product, project and performance in his portfolio.

MICRO

ARTIST: HOTARU VISUAL GUERRILLA (SPAIN)

The microscopic world is full of fascinating and beautiful images that captivate the minds of scientists and laypeople alike. Whether viewed through a microscope or captured by advanced imaging technology, the shapes and patterns found at the microscopic level are truly breathtaking.

From the complex structures of cells, to microorganisms and the geometric formations of mineral crystals, this beauty extends beyond the laboratory and can be seen in familiar things such as the patterns in raindrops on a leaf or the shapes of snowflakes.

These abstract forms demonstrate the intricate and complex systems that exist in the world around us and offer a glimpse into a hidden world that reminds us of the

incredible beauty that exists at the smallest of scales.

This composition is a part of our study into the intersection of nature and technology, and showcases images and colours inspired by the natural world, which harmoniously co-exist with the different architectural elements of The Blackpool Tower.

Through abstraction and imagination, we strive to create a peaceful and introspective sensory experience that allows the viewer to rediscover their connection to nature through the digital realm.

It is accompanied by audio exclusively designed for the artwork by Martin Stavrev (co-founder of The Science) to guide the audience through different emotions.

HOTARU VISUAL GUERRILLA

Hotaru Visual Guerrilla is an independent creative studio, formed by Ander Ugartemendia and Jone Vizcaino, focused on digital art and design located in Donostia-San Sebastian, Basque Country (Spain).

Their work is focused on the creation of audiovisual experiences with a strong emphasis on future aesthetics and experimentation.

They explore the intersection between science, nature, and technology and look for the perfect combination of organic and digital elements, inviting the viewer to visualise alternative reality.

SPIN ME A YARN

ARTIST: STUDIO VERTIGO (UK)

Imagine this: What if there were enormous giants wandering around up there in the sky? And let’s say one of them was a little forgetful and dropped its knitting by accident - and guess where it landed? Right on top of The Blackpool Church!

It’s kind of wild seeing that yarn trail Studio Vertigo has put together hanging across the building like that. Spin Me A Yarn takes the form of an oversized ball of wool with a 50-metre trail of neon yarn that will wrap around The

Blackpool Church in St Johns Square, as the neon hues glow from above, bringing the artwork and building alive.

Come and see - you won’t regret it!

STUDIO VERTIGO

Studio Vertigo is a multidisciplinary design and fabrication studio lead by artists Lucy McDonnell and Stephen Newby. They specialise in light installations and sculpture for international exhibition.

ODYSSEY

ARTIST: JACK IRVING, LANCASTER UNIVERSITY AND LIGHTWORKS (UK)

Odyssey, the largest installation ever seen in the Blackpool Illuminations display, is co-created by international designer Jack Irving in collaboration with a talented team of computer scientists from Lancaster University.

Standing at 11 metres high, the installation comprises six large-scale structures, known as ‘towers’, that are combined with state-of-theart technology to create an immersive and interactive projection show themed on undiscovered creatures lurking in the depths of the deep sea. There are six towers in total with three varying designs based on sea gods from Greek mythology: Poseidon, Aphrodite, and

Amphitrite. Aphrodite, the tallest of the three towers, is an impressive 7 metres wide, and 11 metres high!

Following the interactive element of Odyssey, the display gradually intensifies and culminates in a fierce five-minute battle between the towers, armoured with over 60 powerful lasers and a spine-tingling light show performance.

Step aside and gaze in wonder as the towers go head-to-head in jawdropping combat. Which tower will prevail and be crowned Alien of the Seas? All will be revealed when the installation invades Blackpool during the 2023 Illuminations.

FUN FACTS

• There are over 10,000 lines of code for the interactive elements of Odyssey.

• In excess of 2,500 hours have been spent on developing the code, simulation and testing.

• Each tower contains a Panasonic 20k projector, a raspberry Pi and camera.

• Over 32 tonnes of steel has been used for the skeleton of the towers, weighted down with over 86 tonnes of concrete.

• 2,400 LED nodes and over 3,500 metres of LED lighting has been used in the display.

MEDUSAE

ARTIST: SIMON CLEGG (UK)

Are you ready for a fun aquatic adventure? Our amazing interactive installation awaits you, featuring the most vibrant and mesmerising jellyfish you’ve ever seen! Immersed in a sea of colours and light shows, this experience is sure to uplift your spirits and dazzle your senses.

The best part? Our friendly jellyfish won’t sting youthey’re just here to spread joy and showcase their funky lighting.

The cool lighting was created thanks to some amazing local schoolchildren who imagined their own versions of jellyfish!

This just goes to show that creativity knows no bounds and can come from anyone, even the little ones. Can you imagine what other awesome designs we could come up with if we let our imaginations run wild like these youngsters did? We can’t wait to see what other

masterpieces we can create in the future!

FUN JELLYFISH FACTS

• They have no brain, heart, bones or eyes.

• A jellyfish’s mouth is found in the centre of its body.

• They aren’t actually fishthey’re plankton.

• They can range in size from less than an inch to nearly 7 feet long, with tentacles up to 100 feet long.

• They are composed of 98% water.

• They have complicated vision. They have around 24 eyes, out of which only two can detect colour.

SIMON CLEGG

Simon Clegg is a highlyaccomplished graphic designer and illustrator. His talent was clearly evident during his studies at Blackpool & Fylde College,

where he received a commendation Diploma.

Simon gained valuable experience working in tabloids, designing features, illustrations, and advertising before taking on a role as Concept Designer at EDS Studios. There, he demonstrated his exceptional design skills by creating themed rides for worldrenowned organisations such as The Trafford Centre, Legoland, Coral Island, The Blackpool Tower and SEA LIFE Centre.

Simon says: “My time with the design team at Blackpool Illuminations has been an incredible journey, full of opportunities to enhance the traditional and marry it with the latest technology. I hope my passion and joy in creating something impactful and beautiful is evident in Medusae. Bring on the light for 2023.”

INVASION

INSTALLATION: DESIGNS IN AIR

ARTIST: LUKE EGAN AND PETE HAMILTON - AKA FILTHY LUKER & PEDRO ESTRELLAS

The Blackpool Tower has been invaded! Giant tentacles have appeared, breaking through the ballroom roof. These mysterious creatures have arrived, but what are they and where are they from? An underwater world or an alien planet?

Be sure to look up and see if you can spot any evidence of them at the Tower. It’s an invasion unlike any other, and we can’t wait to see what happens next!

A colourful and playful installation on a grand scale that is sure to capture your imagination. It has been created by UK artists, Designs In Air.

DESIGNS IN AIR

Designs In Air is a pioneering inflatable design company renowned for bright, bold and colourful sculptures that pop up at major events and exhibitions worldwide. The company, started 28 years ago by street artists Pedro Estrellas and Filthy Luker, is based in Bristol and

now boasts a whole team of talented local creatives, machinists, riggers and technicians.

Whether there’s 40ft tentacles bursting from the windows of a historic museum, otherworldly flowers sprouting from skyscrapers or giant eyeballs staring out from city-centre trees, Designs In Air’s signature juxtaposition of sculpture and environment invites people to see the world around them in a whole new way!

Image: Terry Rook - Glance Image

FIREFLY FIELD

ARTIST: STUDIO TOER (THE NETHERLANDS)

What is the collective noun for a group of fireflies? A swarm seems too beastly. A lantern? A twinkle? A shimmer of fireflies?

Firefly Field is a mesmerising light installation of numerous flying light points that simulate the movements of these nocturnal Lampyridae. Glowing, darting, hovering above the ground. The everchanging bioluminescence of each one is reflected in the grassy slope. En masse, they create a dynamic light scene that triggers visitors’ curiosity and awe.

With Firefly Field, we share our fascination and imagination for the aesthetics and movement of these tiny winged creatures and their interest in the way dynamic

moving light can express a mood. This minimalist arrangement consists of specially-developed LED light points that seem to hover in mid-air. Their unique dynamic composition gives each firefly its unpredictable and natural movement.

The Blackpool Cenotaph was unveiled on 10 November 1923 and to mark the centenary of the memorial, there will be 100 fireflies either side of the cenotaph.

STUDIO TOER

All Toer’s creations start with the freedom of play. Toer is a multidisciplinary design studio from the Netherlands, founded in 2011 by Castor Bours and Wouter Widdershoven.

Characterised by strong exploratory and experimental approach, Studio Toer pushes both the technical and aesthetic limits of design across a wide range of applied arts.

Toer’s interactive installations have been presented at countless international festivals and can be enjoyed worldwide.

BLACKPOOL CENOTAPH

The design of Blackpool’s war memorial was selected by competition and the Sunken Gardens was chosen to be the official location of the 100ft obelisk. Construction lasted almost a year, with the inauguration event taking place on 10 November 1923. It remembers all those lost in conflict.

BIG BIRD

ARTIST: GUILDHALL SCHOOL OF MUSIC & DRAMA

LIGHTING: LIGHTWORKS

What’s 3.5 metres high and made out of 10 London taxis? Big Bird of course!

The one-tonne pigeon was originally created for the Museum of London’s immersive experience, Beasts of London, created in partnership with Guildhall School of Music & Drama, but it will spread its wings and head to Blackpool for Lightpool Festival.

This large-scale sculpture of a Trafalgar Square pigeon (Columba livia domestica) is impressively constructed from parts of London Black Cabs (Hackney Carriage) finished in its natural plumage and aesthetically illuminated by Lightworks, the Blackpool Illuminations production team.

SPIRO

ARTIST: LIGHTWORKS (UK)

A family-friendly, immersive walk-through sculptural tunnel of light experience, re-imagined for 2023.

This 26m-long magical experience is made of individually-mapped LEDs that allow complex patterns to dance around the audience.

Get your camera ready and remember the moment.

ART TRAIL ZONE - TALBOT: BICKERSTAFFE SQUARE, FY1 3AZ

TOWER AND GOLDEN MILE LIGHT SHOW

ARTIST: GREG MCLENAHAN - ENTERTAINMENT CONCEPTS, MITCH BAILEY - PDA CONCEPTS

The Blackpool Tower is emblazoned with a glowing heart and 25,000 lights on the structure. Join us for this sensational light show, as we bring the Tower and promenade to life with a sound and light spectacular.

The Golden Mile features 21 neon lighting features with three different design designed by Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen and manufactured by Lightworks. This year, you can experience a nightly neon light performance.

There are four light shows running every night during Lightpool Festival at 7pm, 8pm, 9pm and 10pm.

FUN FACTS

• There is over 2.2km of neon in the Golden Mile display.

• The Blackpool Tower is designed to fall into the sea.

• The Blackpool Tower contains 2,500 tonnes of iron, and five million bricks.

• On September 29th 1891, The Blackpool Tower’s foundation stone was laid with a time capsule buried underneath it.

• The Comedy Carpet on Tower Festival Headland features the names, jokes, songs and comedy catchphrases from more than 1,000 of Britain’s bestloved comedians.

THE GRUNDY AT LIGHTPOOL

ARTISTS: LAURA DALY, SHEZAD DAWOOD AND RA WALDEN

SHEZAD DAWOOD and RA WALDEN are presented at the Grundy as part of Hybrid Futures, a multipart collaboration focusing on climate, sustainability, collaborative learning and co-production between Castlefield Gallery, Manchester, Grundy Art Gallery, Touchstones Rochdale, University of Salford Art Collection and Shezad Dawood Studio.

RA Walden’s new work the universe is a clock (i) Schrödinger’s equation, time dependent (2023), sees the

numerals of a clock replaced with the different elements from an equation by the Nobel Prize-winning Austrian physicist Schrödinger. Made from clear glass and helium gas, this work brings the physical world and the world of physics together to invite the viewer to consider their own understandings of time.

Shezad Dawood’s neon work, Island Pattern (2017), featured above, is informed by studies of the wave patterns in the Venice Lagoon and tells the story of a city at increasing risk from climate change and

rising seas levels. Adding his own family history of links to the textile trade in Pakistan and North West England, Dawood’s work explores how pattern, migration and climate change, intersect at a personal, as well as global level.

Image: Shezad Dawood, Island Pattern, 2017. Image courtesy Shezad Dawood Studio.

Check opening times to view The Grundy at Lightpool: thegrundy.org

The Storm Cone by LAURA DALY is presented by Grundy Art Gallery in collaboration with the University of Salford Art Collection. The Storm Cone is an immersive artwork that unearths lost bandstands and their buried past. It charts a story of loss and celebration, human strength and fragility through newly-commissioned music by award-winning composer Lucy Pankhurst, and eight inter-related sound works by Daly.

Originally commissioned by University of Salford Art Collection and Metal, its starting point was the lost bandstands of Peel Park, Salford and Chalkwell Park, Southend. This autumn, The Storm Cone is transported to Blackpool where it will uncover the site of one of the town’s own lost bandstands, combining the real world with Augmented Reality technology in a breath-taking experience.

Image: Laura Daly, The Storm Cone, 2021. 3D artwork by Catherine Chapman. Graphic Design Jon Smith. Image courtesy Laura Daly.

Also at the Grundy:

Chila Kumari Singh Burman, Blackpool Light of My Life, 2023 Edit.

Fiona Grady, Illuminated from Within, 2022/23.

TOWER PROJECTIONS

The Blackpool Tower Projections show is an unforgettable experience that transforms the Blackpool Tower into a dazzling display of light, colour, and sound.

The projection shows use innovative multimedia technology that will leave you dazzled and mesmerized by an explosion of vibrant colours and magnificent musical accompaniments. You will be enthralled by the captivating imagery that pays tribute to the rich heritage of Blackpool, and transports us to a world of wonder and

enchantment with music and imagery that celebrates Blackpool in a truly unique way!

With three brand new shows for 2023, including imaginative work from Guildhall School of Music & Drama, Micro from Hotaru Visual Guerrilla and your favourite Nickelodeon characters in an exciting adventure created by Blackpool Illuminations. Allow yourself to be swept away and transported to a world of pure wonder and amazement.

The shows are truly unique and a must-see for visitors and locals alike! Come along and experience the splendour and grandeur that is Blackpool Tower Projections - they are sure to leave you awe-inspired!

There are several shows presented every night, so you won’t miss out on the opportunity to be a part of this spectacular experience.

The Blackpool Tower Projection shows run nightly from 6pm.

CREATIVE CONFERENCE

Get ready to be inspired! You have the chance to connect with experienced light-creation professionals and take part in a dynamic programme full of symposia, presentations, learning opportunities, and meetings with the organising teams of light festivals and Arts Council England. This is your chance to discuss current topics and open yourself up to fresh approaches and new sources of inspiration.

To help you and your organisation achieve success with a more audiencefocused approach, our keynote speakers will dive into the topics that matter most to you right now. They will share tips and insights, as well as offer their expertise on a range of topics, including:

• Establishing a light festival.

• Working with local communities.

• Effective digital engagement.

• Creating opportunities to sell your ideas and artwork to festival producers.

• Laura Daly - The Storm Cone, a case study.

• Representation in the art world.

• ACE funding for Artists and Organisations.

We have handpicked an amazing lineup of speakers who will guide you towards unlocking new insights to take your work and organisation to the next level. So, mark your calendars and get ready for an amazing event that will leave you energised and motivated!

WHO IS IT AIMED AT

Artists, creative producers and organisations in the creative and cultural industries who have a connection to light.

Saturday 21 October, 10am - 5pm

The Imperial Hotel, Promenade, Blackpool, FY1 2HB

TO BOOK lightpool.eventbrite.co.uk

1. WELCOME

Phil Holmes - Artistic Director Lightpool, Jennifer Cleary - Director, Combined Arts and North, Arts Council England

Why light - what makes it so popular with audiences.

2. SO YOU WANT TO RUN A LIGHT FESTIVAL

Hosted by Abbe RobinsonCo-chair, Light Up The North

Get ready to ignite your creativity and spark your passion for light festivals! Join us for an exciting session where you’ll discover the magic behind four of the bright light festivals in the Light Up The North Network - Light Up Lancaster, Lightwaves, Illuminate Oldham, and Light Night Wigan & Leigh.

3. THE LIGHT EXPERIENCE

Hosted by George HarrisProducer, Light Up Lancaster

By attending this session, you will have the opportunity to gain insights from leading experts and new artists in the field of light art; both internationally and here in the UK.

4. ARTS COUNCIL FUNDING FOR ARTISTS AND ORGANISATIONS

With:

• David Gaffney - Senior Relationship Manager, ACE

• Karen Cody - Relationships Manager, ACE

5. THE GRUNDY AT LIGHTPOOL

Chaired by Paulette BrienCurator, Grundy Art Gallery

An opportunity to find out more about the work of the artists, the process of bringing their works to life, an insight into their career journeys and how their work aligns with Grundy Art Gallery’s curatorial programming. A chaired conversation followed by Q&A.

6. LIGHT UP EQUITY

Chaired by Shanaz GulzarCreative Director of Bradford 2025

Light Up Equity is a series of provocation’s, conversations and discussions around diversifying the light art sector.

7. LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT: DIFFERENT COMMUNITY PERSPECTIVES

Hosted by Melanie Whitehead - TESP Artistic Director, Lead for the Old Electric

Our speakers will inspire you to create a programme of work that fosters positivity and delivers tangible benefits to your local community. Together, we can illuminate the power of communitydriven art projects and create a brighter future for all.

8. ONE-TO-ONE NATIONAL LOTTERY PROJECT GRANT (NLPG) DEVELOPMENT CONVERSATION

With:

• Deborah BestRelationship Manager, Combined Arts

• Angela ChappelRelationship Manager, Combined Arts

The one-to-one National Lottery Project Grant (NLPG) development conversations are for those who are planning to make an Arts Council England application for up to £30,000, and are first-time applicants.

9. IN CONVERSATION WITH DR CHILA KUMARI SINGH BURMAN MBE

Hosted by Paulette BrienCurator, Grundy Art Gallery

Award-winning artist, Dr Chila Kumari Singh Burman MBE will be in conversation with Grundy Art Gallery Curator, Paulette Brien.

10. LIMITED MARKETING RESOURCES? DO LESS AND ACHIEVE MORE!

Hosted by Digital Culture ACE

11. PITCH YOUR IDEA IN 15 MINUTES

We are on the lookout for new, original and unique pieces of light art that will captivate the public and bring light art to an even wider audience.

LIGHTQUAKE

ARTIST: GUILDHALL SCHOOL OF MUSIC & DRAMA STUDENTS AND JOSH GARNER

The façade of the iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom will come alive with a projection installation that will be visually arresting and transformative while creating a surreal and immersive experience for the audience. Our theme of imagination and amazement will serve as the cornerstone of our visual narrative. With an animation style that disrupts the conventional, showcasing a realm where reality melts into the extraordinary, eliciting a profound sense of wonder for passers-by.

In creating the animations, we have used optical illusions

and evolving geometrical patterns. The essence is to distort the expected and kindle the imagination, showing what’s seemingly impossible.

GUILDHALL SCHOOL OF MUSIC & DRAMA

Guildhall School is a vibrant, international community of musicians, actors and production artists in the heart of the City of London. Ranked as number one in Arts, Drama & Music by the Complete University Guide 2024, as well as the number one higher education institution in The Guardian

University Guide 2024 music league table, we deliver world-class professional training in partnership with distinguished artists, companies and ensembles.

A global leader in creative and professional practice, we promote innovation, experiment and research, and are also one of the UK’s leading providers of lifelong learning in the performing arts, offering inspiring training for children, young people, adult learners, and creative and business professionals.

BUTTERFLY BALL WITH SILENT DISCO

BUTTERFLY BALL

Are you ready to spread your wings and soak up the magic of the Butterfly Ball? Let your imagination fly free on Saturday, 28 October from 7pm and embrace the excitement of the night.

Show off your creativity with a colourful butterfly outfit or make a statement with your own customised butterfly accessories at our workshops. The fun is endless with face painting and dance workshops for youngsters, who will then get a chance to perform their enchanting moves on stage, with their new butterfly wings.

Be in awe of Harry Moulding’s magic and feel the energy of Angels Elite, alongside Cabasa Carnival Arts, as they bring a carnival atmosphere to the night with their gigantic butterfly outfits. Come and join us and experience this breathtaking night of wonder.

Family bar available.

SILENT DISCO

Suitable for all ages, our Silent Disco will have three different music choices playing continuously throughout the night. Catering for all music tastes young and old, you’re bound to find a track you want to dance to!

Never attended a Silent Disco before? Here’s how it works:

1. Head up to Spanish Hall at the Winter Gardens.

2. Collect your flashing LED headset from the Welcome Desk.

3. Headphones on!

4. GET BUSY ON THE DANCE FLOOR!

To book: lightpool.eventbrite.co.uk

“The butterfly said to the sun, ‘They can’t stop talking about my transformation. I can only do it once in my lifetime. If only they know they can do it at any time and in countless ways.’” - Dodinsky

SIDESHOWS AND CURIOS

ARTIST: THE OLD ELECTRIC

Blackpool-based The Electric Sunshine Project (a company so inspired by stories of the first illuminations, they named themselves after it) invite you to walk about their creative community venue, The Old Electric, to explore some of the town’s darker historical connections with sideshows.

A collection of creepy carnival characters and curiositybox of freakish findings have been unearthed and illuminated for your delight; you’ll be encouraged to explore at your own pace and find links to Victorian heydays as well as to modern society.

This interactive experience has been specially commissioned for Lightpool and created by a small company of local creatives, led by visual artist Janine Walker and theatre-maker Melanie Whitehead.

“You can touch, but you can’t tickle!”

Open 7-9pm Friday 20, Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 October (PG).

CARNIVAL MAGIC ARTIST:

GLOBAL GROOVES

An exhilarating menagerie of illuminated carnival will return to the Tower Ballroom for an electrifying showcase of music, puppetry and dance. Internationallyrecognised carnival performers will present a showstopper over 30 minutes, bringing a diverse melting pot of carnival magic.

From giant hand-crafted puppets to stunning illuminated dancers, there will be something for all the family.

ABOUT GLOBAL GROOVES

Global Grooves is an internationally-acclaimed and award-winning carnival and outdoor arts company. Specialising in carnival presentation and engagement, Global Grooves inspires young people, communities and artists regionally, nationally and internationally.

A leading social enterprise, Global Grooves brings inspirational carnival practice from around the world into communities across the UK and beyond. We are passionate about embracing authentic, diverse art forms with integrity and respect, and to developing a distinctive UK carnival aesthetic. Mission: to unite and empower individuals and communities through opportunities to experience and create inspirational art.

LARGER-THAN-LIFE PUPPETS

Meet Jack Frost and his larger-than-life friends as they take to the stage and say hello. You never know if you are lucky you might just be able to bag yourself a selfie with your new giant friends.

FIRE-BREATHING BEASTS

Gasp and wonder at their fiery release. This show features striking puppets and exciting pyrotechnics, mixed with a hypnotic performance. With sweeping wings and scorched metal, Toni the Fire Bat is a visitor from an ancient, magical past, awoken from the fiery belly of the Earth to fight Bessemer, the Fire-Breathing Dragon.

CARNIVAL MAGIC

Our carnival performers and stilt-walking musicians will spring to life and fill the stage with beautiful dancers in giant illuminated dresses, accompanied by red-hot carnival drummers.

THE GRAND FINALE

The show will crescendo with a full cast presentation of all puppets and performers, encouraging audiences to take to the dance floor and boogie to our Global Grooves with friends old and new.

To book tickets: lightpool.eventbrite.co.uk

LUMIDOGS

ARITIST: FUN-FILLED WORKSHOPS

Bark by popular demand, Lumidogs returns for Lightpool 2023. Produced by our in-house team and exclusive to Lightpool Festival, Lumidogs is back and it’s bigger and better than ever before!

We are hosting a series of make & create workshops across Blackpool and inviting dog owners and their pooches to get involved.

Guided by our team of artists and costume designers, workshops will run in various locations throughout Blackpool during September and October to create your own illuminated doggy fashion items to dress-up your beloved pooch!

Join us for a FREE workshop in a dog-friendly and relaxed environment. Bring yourself and your four-legged

companion along to one of our workshops, and our creative workshop leader will guide and assist you into making your dog’s very own Lumi jacket!

WORKSHOPS

Saturday 30 SeptemberAbingdon Street Market

Sunday 1 OctoberThe Old Electric

Saturday 7 OctoberThe Old Electric

Sunday 8 OctoberJunction 4

Saturday 14 OctoberMoor Park Leisure Centre

To take part in a FREE workshop - please register in advance: lightpool.eventbrite.co.uk

LIGHTLAB DIGILAB

The programme aims to encourage the development of high-quality light art with artists from a diverse range of backgrounds who may have never worked with light before.

This skills development programme is aimed at adult artists who are motivated and inspired to develop their practice towards creating work that could be commissioned by light art festivals and for exhibition in a gallery context.

Artists are supported by sector specialists to develop their ideas and gain knowledge on making and touring light art in festival and gallery contexts. Artists participating will gain practical experience and skills they can build on. The workshops are held in Blackpool and across the UK with Lightpool Partners.

Applications open in June.

For early career / developing artists, Digilab is a free workshop week for artists who want to develop skills in projection-mapping. It is led by imitating the dog, and held at Lightworks, the home of Blackpool Illuminations. Participants learn about imitating the dog’s approach to site-specific projectionmapping work, from storyboarding, through basic animation and projectionmapping techniques.

To find out more, visit: imitatingthedog.co.uk/ project/leap-blackpool

Applications open in August.

PARTNERS AND SPONSORS

ARTS COUNCIL ENGLAND

Arts Council England is the national development agency for creativity and culture. We have set out our strategic vision in Let’s Create that by 2030 we want England to be a country in which the creativity of each of us is valued and given the chance to flourish, and where everyone of us has access to a remarkable range of high-quality cultural experiences. From 2023 to 2026 we will invest over £467 million of public money from Government and an estimated £250 million from The National Lottery each year to help support the sector and to deliver this vision.

artscouncil.org.uk

GLASDON

Blackpool-based, Glasdon has built a global reputation for the design and manufacture of sustainable environmental products and safety solutions which include public benches and picnic tables made with recycled plastic materials, durable water safety equipment, street litter and recycling bins, and more.

Sustainability is at the heart of Glasdon and has been since the manufacturer designed a safer solution for the roadside - a ‘halt’ sign - in 1959. The sign utilised the benefits of plastic which eliminated the need for paint and offered a much longer lifespan, in turn reducing the use of raw materials. Glasdon has continued to innovate in the use of plastic and other materials to create durable and recyclable products which can be seen across towns, cities and communities around the world today.

The DJ Sidebottom / Glasdon Charitable Programme aims to support charities, organisations and community groups in various worthwhile endeavours both locally and globally. We aim to do this through the use of donations, grants, fundraising and product gifts. The charitable causes we support are for the benefit or advancement of the environment, relief for those in need by reason of youth, age, ill-health, disability or financial hardship, as well as local community development and the advancement of health and life saving research.

Full details can be found here: djsglasdoncharitableprogramme .org/grants/apply-for-a-grant

NATIONAL PORTFOLIO ORGANISATION

Blackpool Illuminations Lightpool Programme was successful in becoming a National Portfolio Organisation of Arts Council England for the investment period 2023-2026. We are the only light sector organisation in the Arts Council portfolio.

EVALUATION

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ART TRAIL MAP

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1. TOWER AND GOLDEN MILE LIGHT SHOW

2. ODYSSEY

3. MICRO

4. TOWER PROJECTIONS

5. INVASION

6. THE STORM CONE

7. LIGHTQUAKE

8. SPIRO

9. PARABOLIC LIGHTCLOUD

10. I CAUGHT A...

11. SPIN ME A YARN

12. POLYRHYTHMS

GARDENS OF BAROQUE DELIGHTS

A DAILY PERFORMANCE OF HOME

MEDUSAE

AQUALUX

SERAPHIC

FIREFLY FIELD

SIDESHOWS AND CURIOS

ISLAND PATTERN

THE UNIVERSE IS A CLOCK (i)

BIG BIRD