In Salford Quays and MediaCity UK, a trail of breathtaking illuminated artwork comes to life – with a spectacular floating model of the earth at its center.
The free Lightwaves Festival returns for 2021 with the most ambitious series of light sculptures and installations to date, including “mermaids” swimming in the water and colorful swans soaring over the quays.
The event is open from today, Friday 3rd December through Sunday 12th December, and organizers are expecting the largest audience ever.
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With a focus on bold new commissions, Lightwaves supports international artists alongside local and emerging talent.
This year’s spectacular commissions contain messages to protect the planet and build a sustainable future.
Lightwaves 2021 brought Luke Jerram’s epic Floating Earth as the dramatic centerpiece – which already caused a sensation after its installation in the run-up to the festival on Thursday afternoon.
This impressive work of art lets visitors see our planet floating three-dimensionally on the surface of the water.
The floating earth sculpture Gaia is now on display for the Lightwaves Festival in Salford Quays
(Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)
The artist Luke is 10 meters in diameter and was created from detailed NASA images of the earth’s surface.
Sirens by Davy and Kristin McGuire, located on Mariner’s Canal, is a beautiful but haunting display of water-based projections.
It shows lifelike mermaids and sea creatures facing the devastating effects of plastic pollution and climate change.
“Mermaids” will be featured in the water for Lightwaves at Salford Quays
(Image: Lightwaves Festival)
Cygnus by Loomaland is celebrating a UK premiere in collaboration with Submerge and is presented as a mesmerizing water ballet with twelve synchronized, glowing robotic swans.
The magical birds are illuminated from within, glide over the surface like ghosts and change colors to the rhythm of the music that comes out of their bodies.
The work is accompanied by a newly commissioned soundtrack ‘Swan Songs’ by Anil Sebastian.
Submerge seeks to create opportunities for marginalized artists and ensure that these voices are amplified in creative tech art and music projects.
Cygnus from Loomaland
(Image: Lightwaves Festival)
Hive Minds is a Manchester bee-influenced interactive arc created by Backstage Academy students in collaboration with multimedia artist Aphra Shemza.
This powerful work of art revolves around issues of unity and sustainability. The 3D printed sculpture comes from sustainable sources and the materials are reused and recycled. The aim of the piece is to think about what people can achieve when they band together as a beehive in the face of the climate crisis.
Embedded in the gardens of MediaCityUK there will also be a small meadow with oversized robotic flowers entitled Digital Playground by Studio Little Lost Robot.
As visitors move around the sculpture, the appearance of the flowers changes in subtle ways depending on the movements made.
Meanwhile, a permanent work of art in MediaCityUK, Through No.4 by Liz West, consists of a six meter long triangular light corridor through which visitors are encouraged to walk.
Floating Earth will be a hit with the whole family
(Image: Lightwaves Festival)
Visitors can also expect immersive laser shows to be brought to town by Quays Culture during the course of the festival.
Lightwaves is free for visitors and aims to bring light and positivity to the cold, dark evenings of this December.
The works of art are open to everyone, are fun, interactive and not only inspire viewing, but also stimulate thought.
No tickets are required to participate in Lightwaves. Visitors can just stop by and explore the festival at their leisure.
This year Quays Culture will also be launching a free mobile app to help visitors find their way around the route.
Lightwaves launches on Friday, December 3rd, alongside the festive Makers Markets in Quayside.
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