• Swindon & Wiltshire Culture
• Friday October 25 2024
• Author Name: Peter Davison

Bristol Light Festival announces return in 2025

Bristol Light Festival has confirmed its return in 2025, and announced its first three installations.

The festival will return for 10 days between January 31 and February 9 with the whimsical world premiere of The Whilers, the return of Illumaphonium with the South West debut of Somnius, and the delightfully kitsch spectacle of Ramandu’s Table, which will see an internationally recognised artist and Bristol graduate returning to the city with a flock of pink flamingos in tow.

The Whilers is presented by Air Giants, experts in interactive soft robotics.

The Whilers are otherworldly creatures on a journey into the unknown who are stopping only briefly in Bristol to interact with its residents and each other.

Air Giants’ Bristol-based team come from diverse backgrounds with broad experience in theatre design, software development and access and inclusion, and their work is centred around connection and companionship.

Using cutting-edge robotics research, The Whilers use non-verbal sounds and language to communicate with one another, and to take notice of audience members for an immersive and awe-inspiring experience.

Somnius sees Illumaphonium return for a second visit to the festival, following a dazzling double offering in 2023 with Continuum and Halo.

Somnius is a cosmic blend of light and sound that responds to every movement of the audience. As participation in the installation grows, so does its soundscape and reactive illuminations, immersing crowds in a playful environment that puts them in control of their experience.

Its appearance at Bristol Light Festival will be the installation’s South West debut.

The Whilers by Air Giants

Ramandu’s Table by Bruce Munro takes inspiration from the original plastic pink flamingo creator, Don Featherstone, and from CS Lewis’ literature, Ramandu’s Table.

The installation, a flock of white flamingos, illuminated with an array of continually changing dawn hues, brings a new layer of artistry to the traditional flamingo statue associated with front yards in America.

The artist wants audiences to enjoy the piece for exactly what it is: a vibrant depiction of some of nature’s most flamboyant and gregarious creatures.

Bristol Light Festival is founded by Bristol City Centre Business Improvement District (BID) and delivered in partnership with Redcliffe & Temple BID. The festival is curated by multi award-winning Creative Director, Katherine Jewkes.

Katherine said: “We’re thrilled to be announcing the first three installations heading to Bristol for the festival’s 2025 edition.

“Air Giants, Illumaphonium and Bruce Munro all have strong connections to Bristol and celebrate the broad and varied talent which is nurtured in the south west and celebrated around the globe.

“We can’t wait to see visitors creating illuminating soundscapes with Somnius, frolicking among the flamingos with Ramandu’s Table and keeping magical creatures company along their journey with The Whilers.

“It’s always an honour to showcase such incredible talent, and this year is certainly no exception.”

Somnius by Illumaphonium

2024’s edition of the festival saw 275,000 visitors head into the centre to marvel at the artworks and brought £8.7 million of additional revenue to the area.

Vicky Lee, director of Bristol City Centre BID, said: “After the huge economic boost that 2024’s edition brought to the city, Bristol Light Festival is back to showcase our creative industries and give more people a reason to head into the city centre at a traditionally quieter time of year.

“This next iteration will once again shine a spotlight not only on the many talented artists but also on the city and the many brilliant experiences Bristol has to offer for people to enjoy as part of their visit to the festival.”

Steve Bluff, head of Redcliffe & Temple BID, said: “Being a partner of the Bristol Light Festival is something we love, as we’re always looking for ways to welcome new visitors to different parts of the city.

“This year’s incredible installations offer up more reasons for people to come and explore Bristol while seeing some world-class artistry transforming some of our most iconic venues and outdoor spaces.”

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