CCAD Recommends: Lumiere Durham, 16th – 19th November 2017

This November, Lumiere will illuminate the city of Durham for the fifth time. The light installation show, collated by artists from all over the world, astounds viewers time and time again and with the event only here every two years, 2017 is happening with a bang! Last time, 200,000 guests were welcomed by a torrent of spectacular lights including a ‘whale’ in the River Wear, beautiful lights engulfing the Cathedral like fog, a light projection that showed locals climbing the viaduct and CCAD student Robyn Wright, after winning Lumiere’s BRILLIANT competition, showcased her winning neon light installation (read all about that here)! This year we are expecting another phenomenal display to explore.
Lumiere is commissioned by Durham County Council and produced by Artichoke, the UK’s leading producer of outdoor art events. Founded in 2005 by Helen Marriage and Nicky Webb, the company’s goal is to collaborate with artists to create unique, large-scale experiences that appeal to the widest possible audience.
With Lumiere presented in Durham and also London (January 2018), Artichoke’s projects take place outside of traditional arts venues, having previously brought central London to a standstill with The Sultan’s Elephant; broadcasting love poetry from illuminated tents along the coastline of the UK for Deborah Warner’s Peace Camp; and burning a 140m-long (460ft) model of 17th-century London on the Thames for London’s Burning, to mark the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London.

So on a chilly November evening, we can’t think of anything more exciting and festive than getting wrapped up cosy in our biggest winter coat, hat and gloves, picking up a hot chocolate for the walk and experiencing the most extraordinary light display tour in the UK. It’s an event definitely not to miss.