London’s illuminated by the Artichoke Trust, in a free four day light festival from 14th until 17th Januray 2016. We were handed some maps and went in search of the light installations. Braving the cold were thousands of people with the same idea. January is usually quiet in London but it almost felt like it was the peak of New Year’s Eve. The free event that injected culture and colour to the city really drew in the crowds.
Clutching our map it took us back to being a child on a treasure hunt. The roads were all closed to traffic and the roads pedestrianized and swarming. There was a great vibe and London felt alive with a kaleidoscope of colour.
With art pieces all over the city we started on Oxford Street and marvelled at the multi-coloured “London, by Echelman”.
We walked through Regent Street spotting illuminated stick men crawling up and down the buildings to music in “Keyframes, by Group Lapse and Thomas Veyssiere. At Liberty we caught a glimpse of the fabulous “Desses, by Tae gon KIM.”
Dodging crowds we managed to get to Carnaby Sreet which is always has some light installations. But hundreds flocked to see the moving digital screen of “Shaida Walking 2015, by Julian Opie”
There was an “Elephantastic” installation at the end of Regent Street blowing it’s trumpet and bearing his bottom on Piccadily.
Leicester Square was transformed with the “Garden of Light”
Piccadily had projections and floating, flying fish “Les Lumineoles” and projections onto building.
Grosvenor Square was illuminated, but as the snow started falling the Aquarium was closed for the evening. The telephone box converted to a fish tank was under wraps.
There are amazing projections over King’s Cross, St Jame’s and Westminster Abbey too. With tonight being the last night on in London we recommend going to see this phenomenal display. The lights are on from 6:30pm-10:30pm. However be sure to check live updates before planning your trip as there are lots of road closures and sadly some lights were switched off due to overcrowding.
