The team that create the world-famous Blackpool Illuminations have made a dazzling contribution to one of London’s most iconic entertainment districts.
The Lightworks team, based near Blackpool Airport, produced eight spectacular neon pieces in collaboration with internationally-renowned artist, Chila Kumari Singh Burman MBE to create an illuminated art trail in Leicester Square Gardens.
Chila, who has already designed a tableau for the Blackpool Illuminations display, invited the team to produce the neon works after she was commissioned by the Art Of London event to feature in the annual Art After Dark programme.
The three-day event used 16 national institutions and art galleries including the Royal Academy of Arts, the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery.
On opening night, Chila unveiled 14 glowing artworks, including the eight new commissions produced by Lightworks. Entitled There Is No Darkness In The Garden Of Light, the installation towered nearly 10 feet high.
It was designed to reflect Chila’s Indian heritage and was inspired by London’s diverse communities. Her creations included representations of Indian deities, a whimsical underwater scene with fish and seashells, as well as icons of South Asian femininity and a magical Barbie-inspired figure.
Chila said:
“I’m made up to unveil my vibrant neon installation. Through a series of glowing artworks, it invited people to experience the West End of London at night and discover how I pay homage to iconic figures of Indian feminism, and used landmarks like the water fountain in Leicester Square Gardens to spread joy and celebrate London’s diverse communities.”
Last year, in another collaboration with the Lightworks team, Chila unveiled a spectacular tableau entitled Lollies In Love With Light as part of a four-month Illuminations display. It remains on display in the tableaux section within the Blackpool Illuminations, which this year will shine until January 5, 2025.
Cllr Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council, said:
“We are delighted that Chila recognised the talent and creativity of our Lightworks team to co-produce a stunning display in the West End of London. “Our Illuminations team design, produce and maintain the Blackpool Illuminations, but what our visitors don’t necessarily realise is that they also produce the highest quality work for other events around the UK.”
The London event took place just a few days ahead of Blackpool opening its own award-winning light festival, Lightpool.
The amazing free-to-see programme of light installations, 3D projection shows, art trails, and stunning live performances will run from October 18 to 26.
With the Illuminations season in full swing, the nine days will see the addition of light installations from the UK, France, Finland and Spain as part of the highly-acclaimed festival.
Supported by Arts Council England, it will include the premiere of at least 15 new artworks never seen before in the UK as well as spellbinding projection shows and live performance including the return of the hugely popular Carnival Magic in the iconic Tower Ballroom.
Other events coming up in Blackpool’s action-packed autumn and winter programme include:
Monster Hunt
Blackpool’s rooftops are coming alive! The Monster Hunt will be one of the big attractions in the resort’s extensive Halloween By The Sea celebrations. From Monday 28 October to Sunday 3 November, prepare for an epic invasion as 10 giant inflatable monsters take over buildings around the Golden Mile and nearby town centre. Your mission? Hunt them down during the day or when they illuminate at night. Keep your eyes peeled for these hilarious, larger-than-life creatures and enjoy this spectacular free trail for all ages.
Christmas By The Sea
The Tower Festival Headland will be turned into an outdoor winter wonderland with free skating rink, snowfalls, log cabins, festive projection shows and themed rides including the awesome Star Flyer. It opens on November 15 and runs through to January 5, 2025.
The Blackpool Illuminations
The world’s longest running light display is showing every night during our autumn and winter events season, ending on January 5, 2025. This year’s seafront display, stretching more than five miles, includes a series of new features:
A spectacular new installation by the Illuminations’ creative curator, Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen. Entitled Disco Donkey Cavalcade, it is a celebration of one of Blackpool’s iconic beach attractions, with 12 donkeys dressed in 70s-inspired swimwear parading on a 16ft high platform, beneath a giant ice cream topped with a disco ball!
A brand new tableau, created by Leigh Francis (aka TV star Keith Lemon) featuring a wildly imaginative and colourful design incorporating a 12ft tall dinosaur, space ship, astronaut, an airborne BMX bike, and Leigh himself flying through the skies towards The Blackpool Tower!
A new overhead roadway section that pays homage to the hugely popular Aliens feature that graced the Illuminations display several years ago. The new section has been designed by students at Blackpool Sixth Form and includes 10 individual illustrations of Alien life!
A larger-than-life Buzz Wire arcade game in which visitors will be able to test their skill and nerve on a specially designed installation reflecting Blackpool’s famous skyline. Created by the Illuminations’ Lightworks team, it is located on the Golden Mile.
