Lumiere, the UK’s largest light festival, returned to Durham, and once again we were a major partner.
The Chronos installation at our Ogden Centre for Fundamental Physics
Over four evenings in November, around 140,000 people visited the festival, which extended beyond Durham City and across County Durham, making it the most ambitious edition of Lumiere yet.
Bewitching illuminations
Amongst the 37 installations were three which we sponsored, lighting up some of our newest, and most historic buildings.
Visitors to Lumiere were able to explore the concept of time, from the nanosecond to millennia, with a video-mapped installation entitled Chronos, displayed on our Ogden Centre for Fundamental Physics.
St Mary’s College, one of our oldest colleges, joined the Lumiere line-up for the first time. Hosting Scattered Light by artist Jim Campbell, the terrace of the college was the location for a bewitching illusion of moving figures created by over 1,500 LED bulbs.
Finally, our most historic building, Durham Castle, home to University College, was illuminated with new works from 11 of the UK’s most exciting poets, including Kayo Chingonyi, an Associate Professor in our Department of English Studies. The piece was entitled Anthology-Into the Light.
The Chronos installation at our Ogden Centre for Fundamental Physics
Bringing the music
At the centre of the festival was In Our Hearts Blind Hope which illuminated Durham Cathedral, an installation inspired by Día de los Muertos, the Mexican Day of the Dead holiday. The music for this immersive installation was recorded by a specially selected ensemble of some of our most talented student musicians.
Across the festival were inspiring and thought-provoking artworks, exploring issues such as climate change, the challenges of hidden disabilities and the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Other installations invited visitors to be interactive, from using their smartphones to create colourful paintings the streets of Durham to making and conducting music.
The installation at St Mary's College
Culture, creativity and heritage
We hope everyone had a great time at Lumiere, viewing some of the most ambitious, inspiring and though-provoking art we have ever hosted.
Lumiere is part of our deep-rooted commitment to supporting community, culture, creativity and heritage in our City, County and the North East.
As well as Lumiere, we also support popular annual events including Durham Book Festival, Durham Fringe Festival, the Durham City Run Festival and the Summer in the City festival.
Our attractions, including Palace Green Library, Durham Castle, the Oriental Museum and the Botanic Garden, host exhibitions and events throughout the year for all to enjoy.
We are also a key member of the Culture Durham Partnership supporting County Durham’s bid to be UK City of Culture 2025.
Lumiere is produced by arts charity Artichoke and commissioned by Durham County Council, with additional support from Arts Council England, ourselves and many other funders and supporters.