VISION & CONCEPT

LIGHT ART 2021,

A LIGHT ART FESTIVAL WHERE LIGHT AND SOUND MERGE.

Light Art is a visual art form where the use of artificial light as a medium is central. The light can burn, fluoresce, transmit, illuminate and reflect. It is an art form in which either a sculpture produces light,

or light is used to create a “sculpture” through manipulation of light, colours and shadows.

Thanks to technological developments, light art is also able to develop further. New techniques such as LED lighting and electronic integration lead to new and more complex possibilities where lighting comes to life with the help of sensors

and algorithms. This creates dynamic movements, colourful projections, optical illusions and interactive functions.

One of the pioneers of Light Art was the 18th century artist Louis-Bertrand Castel. For years, he worked on a colour organ, trying to “compose” light in relation to music. Composer and architect Yannis Xenakis also experimented with sound and light. Le Corbusier and Xenakis’ artistic research into ‘movement’ was transformed into a public event, and the intensification of the aesthetic experience into a collective immersion in an immersive environment.

In honour of these pioneers of light art and sound, the LightArt team chose to connect the light installations with musical movements, composers or compositions during this 4th edition of the light art festival. An intervention that will further enhance the experience of the works of light art.

Some light artists were inspired by music, for other light artworks the curator and their team made musical connections.

Mayor of Light

The winter will once again not be gloomy or dark this year in Knokke-Heist. Mayor Leopold Lippens wants to create an enjoyable and unique Christmas atmosphere with our own light art festival that will give light in the darkest time of the year. “The city’s shopping streets, squares and towers will be magically illuminated with planets and shining stars. The difference with previous years will be huge,” he adds.
Leopold Lippens: People who come to Knokke-Heist in the Christmas season will see that this light festival is different. There is a story behind it, the story of The Little Prince by Saint-Exupéry. I think everyone knows this book, just look at the number of copies sold worldwide. This is the second year we will do this and the first edition has shown that people do find it interesting. In any case, The Little Prince continues his journey…

“In Knokke-Heist everyone can find what they are looking for: quality, beauty, nature, the sea and a magnificent light festival.”
– Mayor Lippens

Leopold Lippens: there are various events throughout the year in Knokke-Heist. That’s our strategy, ensuring that there is always something for everyone. All the shops and restaurants will also be open during the light art festival. People coming here can find what they are looking for: quality, beauty, nature, the sea, and a magnificent Light festival. The traditional Christmas lighting that can be seen everywhere in the shopping streets in the country is quite different here. It is not just a few illuminated Christmas trees.

A UNIQUE EVENT

The light art festival stands out from others by using a specific entertaining story that speaks to a broad and diverse public.
This story is the guiding principle to transform the landscape for both residents and visitors by creating experiential elements, it was the inspiration for the curator and the participating artists. The Knokke-Heist Light Art festival is an outdoor route of modern light art that illuminates the streets, squares and beaches with high-profile innovative installations with a strong visual impact. The Light festival brings a broad public together and ensures a unique atmosphere in the city. The keywords for these experiential installations are wonder, surprise, emotion, poetry and magic. For the spectator this means coming together, sharing, participating and dreaming and all in a family context.