It's lit up Salford Quays for 10 years now and this year's Lightwaves event promises to be the 'best yet'.
Lightwaves Salford - presented by Quays Culture - is a trail of 14 'spectacular' art installations, inspiring visitors to explore the Quays and MediaCity by night.
It's completely free to attend, so visitors can just turn up and enjoy the artworks, five of which are brand new commissions and are hosting their world premieres in Salford.
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The popular light art festival runs from Thursday, December 5 to Sunday, December 8, between 4pm and 10pm, with visitors promised 'an unforgettable experience' from a variety of different works using light, sound and technology.
One of this year's works - Monad by Anastasia Isachsen - will be displayed even longer, until December 22.
At 30m wide, the giant projection-based artwork will be seen across the water from MediaCity. It incorporates video projection using a mist of water as a screen and is accompanied by 'a deeply emotional' musical composition by the renowned jazz composer Arve Henriksen.
Another of the works is SomniUs by illumaphonium - a huge interactive light and sound installation constructed using over 6km of LED lights suspended 3m above the audience. As people move, the sound and lights respond and patterns change and grow - becoming more dramatic with every person that joins in.
Staged around outdoor locations across Salford Quays and MediaCity, Lightwaves Salford invites families and friends of all ages to get together and explore the 'captivating' light installations that 'transform the waterside environment after dark'.
Kate Doyle, head of programme for Quays Culture shared her excitement about this year’s line-up, saying: “The team at Quays Culture are truly excited by the programme of artworks curated for what will be the 11th edition of Lightwaves Salford.
"Year on year the event delights audiences of all ages and we're certain that 2024 will be no exception. The programme is one of our best yet and we’re looking forward to seeing visitors' reactions to our thought-provoking new commissions.
"In the dark winter months, human beings are instinctively drawn to light and the chance to gather together with other people. All are welcome to Lightwaves Salford to experience the joy of light art."
Other installations include the likes of The Matter of The Heart - a brand new artwork by award-winning art studio idontloveyouanymore.
Described as a 'joyful interactive artwork', it will incorporate heartbeat data from real people in real time - becoming 'an expression of the collective power of community'. Audiences are invited to walk among the 100 flashing hearts which represent people with a connection to Manchester and Salford and their real-time heart beats.
Debuting this year is Entwined, an interactive light installation that celebrates the community spirit of Salford. Located in MediaCity Gardens this brand new piece combines voices, sound, light, sculpture, and painting to create a multisensory experience.
And A Cry For Help by Ben Everard - a joint commission between Quays Culture and RHS Glow - is an interactive, thought-provoking artwork about helping the insect world. A collection of glittering insect sculptures slowly go dark when there’s no one there and brighten up when people move close again.
On the Wave of Light is an interactive installation that celebrates the vibration of light. Created by Those Guys Lighting from Latvia, and consisting of 100 interactive light poles, this 'playful artwork' responds to the interaction of visitors and is sure to be a favourite with younger ones.
Caroline Aikman, director of marketing, brand and place at MediaCity, said: “Lightwaves is a highlight of the winter season at MediaCity and for the first time this year we’re delighted to support the extended run of the show-stopping Monad art installation on the waterfront.
"It promises to create a sense of magic in the run up to Christmas and will inspire creatives from the region and beyond.”
No tickets are required to attend Lightwaves Salford, visitors can simply turn up and explore the trail of artworks at their own leisure. Maps of the trail will be available online in advance and on the night, though visitors are welcome to use any route they like to explore Lightwaves Salford.
There'll be plenty of food and drink options with all the usual restaurants at MediaCity, as well as the wide range of traders at Kargo within the Quayside. The popular Makers Market will also be running from December 6 to 8 to coincide with Lightwaves Salford.
