Top: Giant Dandelions made with 9,000 recycle bottles and lit by energy efficient bulbs. Photo: © Urban Redevelopment Authority. All rights reserved.

The evolution of technology has seen Light take on a greater role in form and function across architecture and interior design. Asia’s only sustainable light art event, the i Light Festival 2016 returns to explore light and beauty in the dark, reconsidering the role of lighting in our metropolitan city and challenging “what more can Light do?”

The creation of 1.26 Singapore is inspired by the traditional craftsmanship of fish net weaving and lace making, while its form symbolises Earth’s interconnected systems. Photo: © Urban Redevelopment Authority. All rights reserved.

The upcoming festival will be curated by Randy Chan, Principal Architect at Zarch Collaboratives, and Khairuddin Hori, Deputy Director of Artistic Programming at Palais de Tokyo, Paris.

The theme for 2016 reads ‘In Praise of Shadows,’ borrowed from the essay of Japanese writer, Junichiro Tanizaki, to provoke exhibitors to “re-imagine the fundamentals, forms and roles of light, and to readjust perceptions of lighting”. Observations have shown that the most popular installations in the past combined artistry, design, interactivity and technology trends, creating an immersive experience for visitors across demographics.

Created with energy-efficient bulbs, CLOUD invites strangers to gather under a dazzling raincloud to light up with the installation by pulling on the switches. Photo: © Urban Redevelopment Authority. All rights reserved.

The previous biennial will become an annual affair come 2016. Since its inception in 2010, the i Light Festival has spotted increasing participation from the public, who marveled at the transformation of Marina Bay’s nightscape with art installations, projections, sculptural and multimedia pieces contributed by artists from over 20 countries.

More recently, the 2014 edition drew 685,000 visitors, with 100,000 international visitors over three weeks, receiving $5 million media value via approximately 400 outlets.

The Pool lights up in swirling effects of light and colour when visitors step on the interative circular pads. Photo: © Urban Redevelopment Authority. All rights reserved.

The forth edition of i Light Marina Bay 2016 will be held from 4 to 27 March 2016. It will consist of at least 15 outdoor, site-specific installations in open spaces around the Bay – majority will be located along the 3.5km waterfront promenade, complemented by entertainment activities.

The call for submission is open to local and international artists, architects, designers, sculptors and multimedia specialists alike. Proposals will be evaluated by the Curatorial Team, Festival Organiser and external advisers. Key points to note: the installation should be weather resistant, in consideration of Singapore’s climate and strong winds at Marina Bay, with a life span of at least three weeks.

Submission requirements for i Light Marina Bay 2016 can be found here. Proposals must be submitted by 26 June 2015. 

i Light Marina Bay
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