AHC staff to star at Light Night 2024
This year's Light Night takes place 24-25 October
Leading artists, researchers, technicians, and professional staff from across the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures will take part in the University of Leeds’ celebrations for this year’s Light Night festival.
Light Night is an annual free multi-arts and light festival that transforms Leeds for two nights in October, attracting over 150,000 local and international visitors. Now in its 20th year, Light Night has become a cultural staple of the city, attracting over 1.1 million visitors in two decades, with last year’s event drawing a record 200,000 attendees.
This year’s event will run from 24-25 October and the University of Leeds will transform the heart of its campus with a host of large-scale light installations, immersive experiences and participatory activities for families. The programme showcases cutting-edge research, international commissions, student creativity and interdisciplinary collaboration, drawing inspiration from this year’s Smeaton300 programme theme: Inspired by Nature.
With 15 installations, the University’s Light Night programme includes illuminated jellyfish in trees and an animal sound trail, offering a family-friendly and relaxed addition to the hustle and bustle of Leeds City Centre.
In addition to family-friendly indoor and outdoor activities, visitors will find a map with a suggested route though the campus, a quiet zone, a shuttle bus stop outside the Parkinson Building, free parking in the multi-storey car park, and plenty of hot refreshments available on campus.
Professor Ben Walmsley, Dean for Cultural Engagement, said:
“This year really marks a step-change in what the University of Leeds can offer the city. It has been incredible to witness the efforts behind the scenes to create an inspiring and welcoming environment on campus. We hope many people will visit and create lasting memories here at the University.”
Staff from across the Faculty of Arts Humanities and Cultures will take part in this year’s programme.
Steve Ansell, Artistic Director and Theatre Manager, based in the School of Performance and Cultural Industries, will be involved in the following projects:
Illuminating Edward Carpenter (stage@Leeds, Thursday and Friday, 6-10pm) – an immersive environment exploring the life of Edward Carpenter (1844-1929). Using sound, light, projection and Carpenter's extensive collection of letters, notebooks and photographs at the University of Leeds, the exhibition vividly brings to life the poet, philosopher and advocate for gay rights, women's rights and environmental causes.
Urban Jungle (stage@leeds, Thursday & Friday, 6 – 10pm) – a retro gaming environment with big screen, big sound and a distinctly jungle theme. Come and try old school gaming in a whole new way. Suitable for the entire family.
Cinchona – Invisible light (stage@leeds, Thursday & Friday, 6 – 10pm) – an interactive installation that uses light, sound and movement to explore the fascinating properties of plants, especially Cinchona Bark, the natural source of quinine. Create an invisible forest by drawing unseen plants, enjoy a luminous drink and share nature in a new way. Family-friendly and fun for all ages.
Kelly Cumberland, an artist and practice researcher in the School of Design, will exhibit her work alongside that of other next generation artists including Ed Green and Eleanor Craig. Kelly’s fusion of art and science, highlighting cellular processes through light and shadow, can be found at the Pyramid Theatre (inside Leeds University Union), Thursday & Friday from 6-10pm.
The School of Music’s Dan Merrick (Strategic Development Manager) and Dr Scott McLaughlin, Associate Professor in Composition and Music Technology, will host Smeaton’s Planetarium at Clothworkers’ Concert Hall (12 Cavendish Road) Thursday 6-10pm & Friday 8-10pm. Star science and electronic music will collide to create a star-scattering, immersive experience in the beautiful surroundings of the Clothworkers’ Concert Hall. Images of galaxies, stars and nebula shoot around you, responding to music created by students from the School of Music, based on the research of scientists from the School of Physics and Astronomy.
