There will be 37 artworks spread across the city, which feature past favourites, as well as new commissions, to celebrate the spectacular’s 10th anniversary and we’ve rounded up just some of the highlights here. Created by Artichoke, the festival is free to attend but tickets will need to be obtained. More information here.
5. Are Atoms Alive, Durham Sixth Form Centre
Comprised of seven screens spread across nine shipping containers, Are Atoms Alive? takes us on a journey from the sparkling expanse of the galaxies to the depths of the cells dividing in our bodies. The artwork was inspired by the uninhibited curiosity of the title-question asked by the 6-year-old son of one of the artists. This bespoke version of the installation was adapted by students at Durham Sixth Form Centre in workshops using imagery of the city. Photo: Ocubo & Storybox.
6. End Over End, Milburngate
Milburngate is transformed into a nocturnal playground by a super-sized version of a classic toy by artist Lucy McDonnell. Each coil of the oversized spring is illuminated in turn, creating the familiar flowing form of a Slinky tumbling into the shadows. Inspired by the artists’ children’s toys, End Over End playfully subverts our sense of scale. Photo: Artichoke
7. The Stars Come Out at Night, Walkergate
Capturing the beauty and wonder of the night sky, The Stars Come Out at Night brings the sparkle of starlight down to earth. The installation gently rotates casting a universe of stars across the ground, just like the night-time projectors that soothed many of us to sleep as children. The piece is accompanied by an original soundtrack by Oliver Vibrans. Photo: Artichoke
8. Fogscape, riverside between Fulling Mill and Framwellgate Bridge
Fujiko Nakaya has been transforming public spaces around the world for over half a century with her ephemeral fog sculptures. An original commission for Lumiere 2015, Fogscape #03238 returns to cloak the riverside in plumes of ghostly water vapour. By bringing the clouds down to the ground, the artist hopes that people will be reminded of their own role in climate change. Fujiko Nakaya produced the world’s first fog sculpture in Osaka, Japan in 1970, by shrouding the roof of the Pepsi pavilion with artificially-produced fog. Since then she has created more than 90 of these immersive installations in cities and national parks across the world. Photo: Matthew Andrews