Amsterdam Light Festival more international than ever

The international jury of the Amsterdam Light Festival made a first selection out of 330 submissions. The light artworks will be showcased from Thursday the 26th of November until Sunday the 17th of January during the fourth edition of the Amsterdam Light Festival.

International light artworks

The jury selected 35 artworks which will be showcased alongside the Water Colours boat route and the Illuminade walking route. The coming month are crucial to examine the technical feasibility of all artworks. The jury consisted of Rogier van der Heide (Artistic director Amsterdam Light Festival), Paul James (editor in chief of Mondo*Arc Magazine), Jeroen Junte (journalist, writes among others for Volkskrant, Architectuur NL, FRAME and Elle Decoration) and Janet Echelman (Artist). Rogier van der Heide: “We received submissions from a large number of different countries, including Japan, Australia and Sweden. Compared to last year an increase of 36%. International artists increasingly know how and where to find us. A development that we welcome because the festival is a community where international creatives, innovators and engineers are able to meet, and are given the opportunity to learn from each other’s expertise in the field of light art and innovations.”

Shining friendships

With the theme friendship, the festival emphasizes the importance of friendship for everyone around the world. The boat tour – Water Colours – shows visitors colourful, present-day light artworks and meanders through the historic downtown of Amsterdam. Paths Crossing, submitted by Ralf Westerhof, is striking. Paths Crossing visualizes the paths of people that meet, stay together or that lose sight of each other. The friendships are sometimes short and intense and sometimes long lasting and dormant. A luminous timeline of 250 meters long which symbolizes our relationships. In addition to the boat tour there is a special walking tour – Illuminade – where interaction with the artworks plays an important role. A selected artwork for the Illuminade is Strangers in the Light by Victor Engbers. Two six meter tall traffic light figures stand opposite each other. Waiting until they can cross the street and finally shake hands. An implicit invitation for visitors to do the same and perhaps start a new friendship.

About Amsterdam Light Festival

For 53 dark winter days the historic center of Amsterdam is the atmospheric background of the Amsterdam Light Festival. The festival presents light sculptures and projections by Dutch and international artists in the public space. The Amsterdam Light Festival brings light in the darkest time of the year and enlightens the public with colorful artworks. The festival is made possible by main sponsor Zumtobel Lighting and Canal Company. www.amsterdamlightfestival.com

Water Colours, boat tour: 26 November 2015 – 17 January 2016

Illuminade, walking tour: 10 December 2015 – 3 January 2016