Exploring the IlluminoCity Light Festival
Sponsored by Brookfield Properties
Earlier this year I explored the Brookfield Properties Art Trail, which saw me scampering all over the city, discovering all kinds of wonderful pieces and installations, created by artists celebrating themes of pride, queer existence, dynamics within Black communities and many more…
This Winter, Brookfield Properties have launched their IlluminoCity Light Festival, which was created in response to a recent report they commissioned – The Art of The Workplace.
The report revealed that arts and culture have the ability to transform the way people feel at work. The art itself can transform the space, but more than that, it brings people together. Art and culture can create new conditions for positive mental wellbeing, it promotes learning, creativity, contentment and pride…
By doing all of this, the art can instil a sense of community, that many may not have been aware of before. Bringing people together in a space, to talk, discuss, share ideas and share an experience is incredibly powerful. Shared experience builds community, and community, ultimately, is what holds us all together.
3000 office workers nationwide were involved in the creation of the report and it was found that 63% of 18 – 29 year old workers prefer the office to working from home, and 77% agreed that having social, cultural or wellbeing events available contributed to their wellbeing.
Brookfield Properties continues to bring its indoor and outdoor spaces to life, through art and culture and with the ultimate aim of connecting people and creating memorable experiences, which offer time for reflection in an urban environment. They know that by doing this, people will feel valued, they will enjoy working more and not only now, but in the future as well.
Brookfield Properties has commissioned work by Ukrainian/Canadian artist duo HYBYCOZO at Citypoint and Principal Place. Their work consists of larger-than-life geometric sculptures, with patterns and textures that draw on inspirations from mathematics, science, and natural phenomena. The sculptures are made of powder-coated steel with a satin finish each measuring 2m in height.
By day the sculptural forms appear solid and, at night, cast otherworldly patterns of light and shadow on the surrounding ground. While they have exhibited worldwide, this show marks the artists’ UK premiere.
I loved visiting the installations and spending some time sitting by them, wandering around them, playing with their shadows and patterns on the ground… and I especially enjoyed watching others interact with them too. They transformed each bustling thoroughfare into a more tranquil and peaceful space… You can’t help but notice how people light up around them and enjoy ‘playing’ with the space. And of course, children adore them – I saw a number of very young folk mesmerised by the changing lights and absolutely not wanting to leave 😉 They are quite a bit magical.
“As the nights grow longer, our intention with the use of light in our sculptures is that we remind people that there is a light that shines within each of us and spreads out into the surrounding environment. We hope that placing art in open spaces and for everyone to view reminds people that the world is malleable in their image, that we can create a better world through imaginative and curious thought. We like to say that most of us work on square desks in square rooms and our use of geometry at angles other than 90 degrees helps people to think outside of the box,” shared artists Yelena Filipchuk and Serge Beaulieu
IlluminoCity Light Festival is on until 27th January 2023, open 24/7, but it is at its most spectacular after the sun has gone down! Now is the perfect time to visit – and if you have children off on school holidays now, they’ll love it. Oh an there’s a free downloadable colouring book here, which makes for a gorgeous mindful activity for yourself or for the kids.
I am already looking forward to returning and taking Izzy with me!
