COOL AS LEICESTER

Following the huge success of the first Light Up Leicester event in 2020, the city-wide illuminated festival of world-class art is back for 2022.

Light up Leicester will shine a light on the city’s growing importance as a destination for arts and culture when it returns from 3rd to 6th March. Leicester’s residents as well as visitors from further afield will see the city streets filled again with illuminated interactive artworks as part of the free four-day festival – and this year promises to be even bigger and better than before. We found out all the details for this week’s BID Leicester Spotlight.

In its second edition, this year’s festival will include impressive, large-scale projects from some of the world’s most exciting and renowned artists. These awe-inspiring illuminations will form a trail of 9 light-based installations, which will be placed around the city centre for visitors to discover, be immersed by, and enjoy.

The festival promises to showcase illuminated art from some of the world’s leading ‘light’ artists, with many of the pieces being brought to the city for the first time. For example, Pulse by This is Loop will feature a huge tunnel of light and sound, roughly the size of an articulated lorry, with tightly synchronised pulses of light triggered by the soundtrack, creating an immersive and unforgettable experience for visitors. It really is must see!

Simon Jenner, Director of BID Leicester said “It’s incredibly exciting to see the return of Light Up Leicester to the city. Not only will we unveil brand new pieces of art, but we will also be working with internationally renowned artists in this area. Visitors will be able to experience Fantastic Planet, a large-scale work by Amanda Parer on Orton Square, consisting of giant, inflatable, glowing human sculptures that seem to have just landed on earth. The piece will be a showstopper that will give audiences a moment of wonder. We’re thrilled to build on the success of the last festival in 2020 and to continue bringing events like these to the city centre. We’re expecting audiences of over 70,000 to attend across the four days of the festival, which is a fantastic boost for local businesses as well.”

You can also get involved in Light Up Leicester from home, with people given the opportunity to create their own light sculptures, which can be displayed from their windows to light up their communities through home kits (created by artist Sean Clarke), which can be ordered online. The community light creations will also be exhibited at a brand-new art space on Churchgate called BETA X, which will be hosting a ‘Light Café’ as part of the festival.

Local schools will also be participating and creating their own lighting installations which will be on display at the festival for parents, teachers and local communities to explore.

Deputy city mayor Cllr Piara Singh Clair said: “Light Up Leicester is the latest addition to the city’s growing programme of innovative arts and cultural events. Each of the nine installations will help transform the night-time ambience in Leicester city centre during the four days of the festival. We’re very grateful to Arts Council England for supporting this event, and we look forward to working with our partners to deliver what should be a very special festival in Leicester in March.”