River of Light is set to illuminate the waterfront across 17 nights from Friday 21 October to Sunday 6 November, and will showcase ten artworks from a host of local, national and international artists along a 2km route.

The installations will include a mix of brand new, never-before-seen commissions as well as existing artworks which haven’t been on display in the city before.

The theme of this year’s FREE event is Unexpected Twist in a nod to the World Gymnastics Championships 2022 which is taking place in the city during the same period.

Full details of all ten pieces of artwork and links to our behind the scenes interviews with the artists are included below.

  • BEAM – A brand new commission by the acclaimed Lucid Creates (artists Helen Swan and Chris Carr) will see a beam of light transport visitors to a hot, summer’s day, accompanied by the sounds of the British countryside. But after several minutes the feeling of peace and warmth will change to unease and suspense… Located at Canning Graving Dock, opposite Museum of Liverpool, the artists behind the work are no strangers to River of Light and have previously showcased large-scale artworks including 2021’s incredibly popular Dance Together – a huge tribute to the legendary nightclub Chibuku.

  • Evanescent – A series of giant bubbles will take over Exchange Flags courtesy of Australian artists Atelier Sisu. The immersive sound and light structure will react to visitors as they explore the artwork, depicting the transient nature of human existence. It has already been showcased in locations including Taiwan, the USA, Greece and Australia.

  • Turn The Light On, It’s Dark In Here – Influential and critically acclaimed French street artist Camille Walala, will work in light for the first time in her career and expect a colourful, dynamic piece which plays with depth and dimensionality, creating an abstract cityscape of light.

  • Dancing Ribbons – Another light first for the much-lauded British-Nigerian artist Yinka Ilori, who has been inspired by rhythmic gymnastics. His installation aims to capture the energy between the gymnast and the prop ribbon and includes a specially-created soundscape called Rhapsody of Light by accomplished composer and producer Peter Adjaye.

  • Light Looper – The brainchild of Liverpool’s own Kazimier Productions, this interactive installation is a multiplayer game where players send particles of lights all around the art work, building up speed until the piece allows them to send the fully charged particle to the very top.

  • Rainbow Accordion – Inspired by a traditional accordion, this artwork consists of six giant colourful interconnected archways, which sit on an interactive pad that when jumped on, sends light and sound through the archway. This work has been created by Australian artists Amigo & Amigo and it is their second appearance at a River of Light festival.

  • Kinetic Perspective – Inspired by the optical art illusions of the 1960s, artist Juan A. Fuentes Munoz creates an abstract, immersive geometric shape. A row of 18 illusions, each composed of two circles spinning in sync, gives the impression of a vanishing point at the eye level of visitors.

  • Affinity: Created by Amigo & Amigo, this interactive light and sound installation is inspired by the human brain. The artwork features 62 different colour combinations and 45 points of interactivity.

  • Electric Dandelions – The Electric Dandelions are giant steel and acrylic sculptures that represent a dandelion flower during the day and come to life at night as an endless firework display. The artwork is created by Abram Santa Cruz/Liquid PXL.

  • Continiuum – is a brand new installation from Illumaphonium. The interactive 20 metre artwork is made of 25 mirrored monoliths creating a maze of infinite reflections.

River of Light will be delivered by Liverpool City Council’s Culture Liverpool team and is supported by Arts Council England.


Community Engagement

This year, we are working in partnership with local Liverpool social project, Make Bank to deliver a unique creative education programme for children, young people and students designed to inspire the next generation of creatives to enter the sector.

Through a series of workshops, talks and events, a number of artists including Amigo and Amigo, Abram Santa/Liquid Px, Atelier Sisu, Abram Santa/Liquid Pxl, Camille Walala,  and Kazimier Productions are visiting schools, community venues and Liverpool John Moores University to inspire, educate and create artworks.

Five Minutes With …

Read our “Five Minutes With…” behind the scenes interviews with the artists behind the artworks at this years River of Light including Make Bank – the team behind our community engagement sessions.

View Our Galleries

We are delighted to work with partners across the city to deliver workshops and activities to inspire the next generation of creatives and artists. We will post updates from these activities here as well as on our social media platforms.

Zara and Renzo from Atelier Sisu working with students from Liverpool John Moores University – Art & Design Programme

Amigo and Amigo enjoyed meeting with young pupils from Pleasant Street School in Liverpool.

Camille Walala enjoyed meeting with young pupils fromHoly Family Catholic Primary School.

Additional Information:

For more information and to book tickets for the World Gymnastics Championships 2022 (29 October – 6 November) visit: https://www.2022worldgymnastics.com/  Full details are also on the World Gymnastics Championships social media.

Image: Evanescent is one of this year’s River of Light installations ©HQ Images

Event Date: Friday 21st October 2022 - Sunday 6th November 2022

Categories: Accessible event | Arts | Family | Free | Liverpool

Contact Details: Culture Liverpool

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