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light experiences at GLOW 2009 The GLOW light festival in Eindhoven was immediately at launch in 2006 a bull's eye: GLOW was named one of the most innovative Dutch events. Meanwhile, the festival has developed into an event of international stature. "Being Public" is the theme of the fourth edition which takes place from November 6th till November 15th. Buildings come to life by light Eindhoven "The City of Light" is the perfect setting for the GLOW light festival. The industrial city has a reputation to maintain in the areas light, art, design and technology. In GLOW all these aspects come together in surprising light creations. Visitors have free access to the event. They can follow a route through the inner city, where about twenty light designers and light artists have illuminated typical spaces and buildings in a fascinating way. Participants are selected by the organization based on their artistic originality and innovative use of lighting technologies, which include computers, sensors, animation and projection. GLOW is a platform for creative talent that uses light in all its applications as a tool to let the local architecture come to life. Big role for public Project manager Robbert ten Caten of organizer CityDynamiek explains the theme: "From the beginning in 2006, GLOW has been embraced by the people of Eindhoven. Last year GLOW was honored with the local price ‘Eindhovens Trots’ (Pride). With the theme "Being Public" we emphasize that together we own the public space. So through the creative use of light we put the focus on buildings that are used daily by the citizens or buildings which are not accessible to the public: a parking garage, the Town Office, a market square, a cemetery and the railway station are included in the route. There is a number of interactive installations in which the public can participate. There is also a shop window which displays illuminated life-size portraits of some thirty different citizens. And of course the city at night is one big meeting place for people who admire the light art and want to share their experiences with each other". Also various cultural institutions of the city will connect with GLOW by exhibitions that focus on the theme "Being Public" or by offering workshops or lectures in which light plays a central role. Students from the Design Academies of Eindhoven, Florence, Bremen and Jekaterinburg will have the opportunity to experiment with lighting setups. "Heartbeat of Eindhoven'' visualized For GLOW 2009 the curators Bettina Pelz and Tom Groll, have contracted a surprising list of participants again. Project manager Ten Caten is enthusiastic: “Rafael Lozano-Hemmer will bring his dynamic lighting project "Pulse Park" from the Madison Square Garden in New York to the Stadhuisplein in Eindhoven. The beams of one hundred spots are controlled in variety and intensity by a sensor which continuously records the heart activity of passersby. All beams together visualize the heartbeat of the city of Eindhoven…. In Marie Sesters project “ACCESS’’ accidental passersby in the hall of the Railway Station will be followed by a big robotic spot which also appeals to them. It is fascinating to see how people react differently. A space in the Design House will be filled with the sound and light installation ‘Bulbes’ of the art collective Artificiel. An audiovisual show that consists of thirty 1000 Watt bulbs with a diameter of 30 centimeters”. It is clear that the original lighting installations are all an inspiration to their environment and that the public can be assured of unique lighting experiences. Last year GLOW attracted over 125,000 visitors from home and abroad. For more information: |
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