What to see at Cambridge’s festival of light installations
See Cambridge in a whole new light as the e-Luminate festival returns with a kaleidoscope of dazzling colour from 9 to 14 February. Transforming the city’s landmarks and urban landscape with light installations created by leading artists, this breathtaking winter spectacle attracts thousands each year and has become one of the most popular events in the region.
In addition to the impressive light displays, there’s plenty more to enjoy and explore, from wine tasting to light painting. Here’s a taster of some of the highlights.
Unmissable Installations
Senate House: The magisterial Senate House will be illuminated by projections by leading British artist, Ross Ashton. I See takes its inspiration from the philosophical ideas of medieval luminary, Robert Grosseteste.
Cambridge Guildhall: The Guildhall façade will be graced by The Colour of Science, an LGBT themed design created by Lumineer Studio and switched on by the Mayor at the opening night launch.
King’s College Chapel: One of Cambridge’s most iconic structures will be lit-up with Hammersmith Poem (Cambridge Poem) 2017, created by British conceptual artist Robert Montgomery, who uses laser cut aluminium and LED light to bring a poetic voice to the discourse of text, creating a large scale illuminated poem.
Fitzwilliam Museum: Night at the Museum will see Ross Ashton map a series of images of artefacts from museums across the city onto the Fitzwilliam’s neo-classical façade.
Trinity Hall: Created to mark the 40th anniversary of the admission of female students and Fellows to Trinity Hall, Women Writing History is a lighting piece that sets an invitation to participate in an imaginative exercise about women’s role in writing the past.
Glow Games
On 12 February, get down to the Guildhall for a sporting event with a twist! The Glow Games is a multi-sport event in the dark, illuminated by UV, featuring badminton, table tennis, netball, basketball and volleyball.
Wine Tasting
On 10 and 11 February, Hotel du Vin will host a wine tasting in the dark: taste and learn about different wines, discovering the fascinating effect different light has on the palate.
Trail of Light
Experience the beauty of the university college chapels with walking tours on 10 and 12 February, on which you’ll be given LED lights to create a moving light parade effect.
Light Painting Workshop
Join photographer Lucinda Price on 11 February as she shows you how to get creative using your camera to create beautiful light painting compositions.
Talks
On 9 February, join Giles Gasper for a talk on the Ordered Universe Project, presenting ideas and research and featuring an interactive exhibition and poster display. The talk on the festival’s theme, colour, by Guest Curator Dr James Fox on Saturday 10 February, also promises to be a highlight. Hosted at the Cambridge Union, Fox will be joined by an array of academics discussing their own unique area of research and its relation to the theme of colour. An amazing opportunity to unearth some of the fascinating discoveries being made behind the scenes.
cambridgelivetrust.co.uk/e-luminate
