Winter Lights 2016: festival returns to brighten up Canary Wharf

The festival runs from now until Friday January 22

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David Ellis @dvh_ellis12 January 2016

Canary Wharf is currently aglow with the Winter Lights festival.

The display, which runs until Friday January 22, features an 18-foot-tall alien, a digital waterfall spelling out words and butterflies made from light. The bright artwork is on display around Canary Wharf, including Jubilee Park, Cabot Square and Crossrail Place.

Festival organisers recommend Londoners visit the exhibitions around dusk, and before 9pm, when a number of the sculptures will be switched off. It is free to attend.

Artists from four continents have contributed a total of 18 sculptures, structures and experiences. The video below shows The Pool, a piece by Jen Lewin, where visitors can create their own display by stepping on one of the 106 touchpads, which each respond to pressure.

Winter Lights Festival 2016

One striking display is an 18-foot tall alien, which was commissioned for Canary Wharf. The piece, inspired by and named for the 1973 film Fantastic Planet, has been brought over from from Australia by artist Amanda Parer.

Festival director Keith Watson said: “This rich, diverse exhibition of light demonstrates some of the most creative light installations and technology from around the world. Many of the works are interactive, creating enchanting experiences that will appeal to art lovers, families, or simply people looking for something interesting and free to do after work.”

The other lights festival in London is the Lumiere festival, which begins on January 14.