Winter Lights returned this year to Canary Wharf for the 5^th time, bringing with it some art, creativity and fun to the London world of finance. With 21 exciting temporary and permanent dazzling installations, this year’s festival theme focused on the merge between technology and sustainability..

REF: https://londoncheapo.com/events/winter-lights-canary-wharf/

REF: http://www.urban75.org/blog/winter-lights-festival-in-canary-wharf-crowds-selfies-galore-and-disappointment/

Prismatica by Raw Design was the first installation that the visitors experienced as they exited the Canary Wharf Station. With infinite colourful reflections generated by the LED chip positioned at the bottom of each prism, the installation offered the experience of seeing the business district “in colour”.

REF: https://www.timeout.com/london/news/in-pictures-winter-lights-at-canary-wharf-is-making-the-business-district-twinkle-011619

Two Hearts, by Stuart Langley reminded us that London is continuously expanding and every year new towers rise and complete the skyline. The two hearts displayed on the building under contruction expresses the life & energy it will bring once opened. 

Moving to a global issue that affects us all, Whale Ghost invited the visitors to think about our impact on biodiversity. The installation could be a metaphor for the ghost of the last remaining whale.

REF: http://wharf2go.co.uk/2019/01/7-new-stunners-to-see-at-canary-wharf-winter-lights/

REF: https://lookup.london/winter-lights-2019/

Interactive installations are always a hit for the visitors. Heofon Light Maze created thousands of smiling and doubtful faces while trying to find the other end of the installation. The journey was even more challenging as the triangular geometry reflected and shifted light rays while the perimeter walls were covered in a mirror film. 

REF: https://canarywharf.com/arts-events/events/winter-lights-2019/?instance_id=

For optic illusions and brain confusions, the visitors experienced the Colour Moves installation on Adams Plaza Bridge. The swirling pattern that contains pigments reacting to specific wavelengths played games with your mind and made it feel like you are passing through a never-ending dream land. 

REF: https://lookup.london/winter-lights-2019/

Will Gompertz, BBC’s art editor said in his book that for the moment no one knows who would be the next big name in Modern Art. Winter Lights showcased Recyclism: a sculpture made entirely from recycled materials that ushered the viewer into illuminated colourful and futuristic worlds. Recyclism is also a platform for artists and like-minded people that show interest in the global environment. Could this be the next chapter in the history of Modern Art? 

REF: https://canarywharf.com/arts-events/events/winter-lights-2019/?instance_id=

REF: https://deskgram.net/explore/tags/oskarkrajewski

One of the best installations from this year is Submergence, which offered a large walk through light experience. With 24000 individual points of suspended light, this is the biggest version ever shown at a light festival. Having preprogrammed LED chips incapsulated in plastic spheres, the installation mimics ocean waves by shifting thousands of colours accompanied by complementary music. The whole experience of being in the middle of those lights gave a unique feeling of happiness. 

REF: https://secretldn.com/winter-lights-festival-2018/

REF: https://www.standard.co.uk/go/london/attractions/canary-wharf-winter-lights-festival-a4037931.html