Light Waves on the Ipswich waterfront
An interactive light, video and sound installation by Creatmosphere
Ipswich waterfront came alive in September 2011 as
Creatmosphere’s new interactive lighting project, Light Waves, switched
on. The project, a combination of light, sound and new digital
technologies, is funded by Arts Council England and sponsored by
SmartestEnergy.
Renowned for creating light art that puts the space and the public at the heart of the work, Creatmosphere’s
Light Waves aims to situate the Jerwood DanceHouse at the centre of a new, vibrant and creative district by lighting the space that spans from Stoke Bridge to The Mill.
Emanating from the DanceHouse and moving through four buildings, Light
Waves shines a new light on the area, by drawing on the latest digital
technologies to offer the public a chance to choreograph their own
lighting show.
Creatmosphere Creative Director Laurent Louyer said, ‘As
well as influencing the colour of the light pulses, the public will
also be able to affect the nature of a projected animation and its
accompanying soundscape by interacting with the light. The longer the
public interact with it, the more they evolve the experience!’
Councillor Bryony Rudkin, Leisure Portfolio Holder for Ipswich Borough Council said, ‘We
are excited to be working with Creatmosphere on Light Waves, and are
grateful to Arts Council England for funding this project. We hope Light
Waves will not only enhance visitor’s experiences of the waterfront,
but will benefit local businesses while adding to the town’s rapidly
developing cultural scene.’
‘Better light, less power’ is a motif that runs throughout
Creatmosphere’s projects so it was important that the lighting scheme
was energy efficient and as a result low-energy LEDs are used
throughout.
Project Sponsor Jo Butlin, Vice President at SmartestEnergy said, ‘As
a fast-growing energy company which is expanding its presence in
Ipswich, we are delighted to be supporting Light Waves. The project is a
great example of how an innovative approach to energy can create a
dramatic visual impact without a significant carbon footprint.’
‘It also ties in with our work to support the move to a low carbon
economy in the UK through our growing portfolio of renewable energy
projects.’
Light Waves is set to run for two years and will be visible to the public every night from dusk until midnight.
The project has been commissioned by Suffolk County Council and Ipswich
Borough Council in partnership with DanceEast and funded by Arts Council
England.
Creatmosphere
Creatmosphere is a cross-genre artistic studio that focuses on the
exploration of light and its interplay with art, architecture and space.
The work encompasses all aspects of light art, including permanent
installations, temporary interventions, interactive projects and bespoke
fabrications. Whether the aim is to entertain, inform, communicate,
guide or even to simply encourage play, our work revolves entirely
around the people who use the spaces we work on, and how their
experiences can be enhanced through the use of light, interactivity and
technology.
Visit
www.creatmosphere.com for more information about the studio and its past and current projects.
SmartestEnergy
SmartestEnergy purchases and supplies electricity from independent generators such as communities, farmers and businesses
Photos: David Kinderd
