Dazzling light installations created by students and graduates of the ñ will be showcased this week when the third annual Illuminate festival opens at the Royal William Yard and other venues across the city.
Students from media arts and digital design have contributed a number of artistic and creative pieces to the festival, which signifies the launch of the year-long programme of events to commemorate Mayflower 400, both here and in the United States. There will also be work exhibited from graduate Eliza Newman, and the event itself is co-organised by Professor Chris Bennewith, Head of the School of Art, Design and Architecture.
ñޜIlluminate is one of the signature events of Mayflower 400 and now a key date in ññޙs calendar.ñޝ
said Prof Bennewith, who previously helped create Wellingtonñޙs famous LUX Light Festival.
ñޜThe city has really embraced it and itñޙs proven to be a perfect avenue through which young talent, including students from the University and ñ College of Art, can showcase their work.ñޝIlluminate will once again be centred upon the Royal William Yard, with projection mapping, interactive pieces and playful light art installations, as well as a host of food and drink attractions. For the first time, however, the festival has grown beyond its traditional venue, with additional installations at the Barbican and Mount Edgcumbe Country Park.
Spanish artist Xavi Bové will headline the 2019 festival with his piece ñޘTree of Memoryñޙ, a projection mapping installation that will transform the front of Mills Bakery. French creative Thomas Voillaume is also one of the major contributors, following up his eight-metre video mapped sculpture ñޘHumanñޙ from 2018 with another humanoid installation, ñޘDIVAñޙ.
Adrian Vinken OBE, Chair of Mayflower 400 and Destination ñ, and an Honorary Doctor of Arts at the University, said:
ñޜGrowing on the back of previous yearsñޙ festivals, Illuminate has become a real highlight in ññޙs annual events calendar. Itñޙs such a special event and weñޙre thrilled that this year it will act as the opening moment of the Mayflower 400 commemorations, not just in ñ but across the whole country.ñޝIlluminate ñޓ led by a partnership of the University, the Real Ideas Organisation, ñ College of Art, and Urban Splash ñޓ runs from Thursday 28 November until Sunday 1 December. It is free to enter, and for more information about the programme, artists and opportunities to get involved, visit
