Light Night Wigan 2023
Thursday 16th – Saturday 18th November
Mesnes Park
Curated by Things That Go On Things
Artworks in this year's programme
Click on the images to expand.
Chirp and Drift - Kathy Hinde
Chirp and Drift is a flock of illuminated kinetic instruments that create music generated from morse-code messages.
Halo – Illumaphonium
Bringing fun and playfulness to the festival, ‘Halo’ is a dynamic, interactive installation that lights up and plays music in response to touch.
Firefly Field - Studio Toer
Firefly Field is a mesmerizing light installation that simulates the movements of fireflies darting and hovering above the ground. This is a co-presentation with Light Up Lancaster, Lightpool and Nightfall.
Hedge is Always Greener - Jonny Godsmark
Jonny Godsmark's piece draws attention to the continuing unwanted presence of litter and plastic in our parks and natural landscapes. To a back drop of music fitting to the wonderful nature that's prevalent in the natural habitat around us, the underlying rubbish that we don't immediately see often has an impact.
Luminosi Trees - Sound Intervention
A cross between a psychedelic jellyfish and giant art-deco parasols this is a large immersive and colourful light installation, with music inspired by the Fibonacci sequence of spiralling growth triggers found in nature.
The Fabulous Floating Lactolite Island - Jack Wimperis
Jack is building a Fabulous Floating Island of addressable LED powered recycled milk bottles. A playfully pulsing pontoon of programmed illumination with a 10 minute evolving display of shapes and movement written especially for the event.
In A City Of Flowers - Lou Chapelle
In a City of Flowers is a holographic and interactive video installation, inviting viewers to gently place their hand within small wooden shelters and hold a butterfly. It consists of a series of 12 houses, each hosting a different British butterfly - some thriving, some vulnerable or extinct in the UK and some migrating species.
Revontulet - Stellar Projects
Revontulet brings the Aurora Borealis to life, with a sparkling sky and imagery imitating the swoosh of a fantasy fox tail, whose trails are captured on camera.
Wigan Borough Icons
Life-size neon artworks inspired by heroes of Wigan - designed by children of the Wigan borough! Inspired by Antonio Capelao’s Soho Kids Xmas Lights and the Newburgh Christmas Lights, 400 local school aged children entered the competition to draw their Wigan Icon and these are the winning 3! Chosen by a panel of Things That Go On Things, Antonio Capelao, Blackpool Illuminations and CBBC’s Hacker T Dog, these 3 represent brilliant people associated with the Wigan Borough that have inspired these young artists!
Botanical Society - Anna F C Smith and Helen Mather
Stained glass lightbox sculptures inspired by 18th and 19th century working class botanical societies - celebrating the role of parks as generators of fresh air for towns historically and in the present day. Made in collaboration with residents of Wigan.
Enchanted Connections - Tine Bech
Enchanted Connections invites visitors to interact with light columns in an imaginative way to create an enchanted landscape of colours. Interact and be immersed in colour.
Celestial Sound Cloud - Pif Paf
Celestial Sound Cloud is inspired by Cosmic Clouds and Nebulas – the clouds of dust and gases in which stars are formed. Sing, move and dance underneath the cloud to create your own visual and audio experience.
Luminous Birds - Kathy Hinde
Luminous Birds animates a flock of origami-style birds suspended overhead. As night falls, synchronised lighting sequences and spatialised soundscapes create the effect of birds flying overhead.
The Magic Lantern - Ian Douglas
Join Ian Douglas and his Magic Lantern to hear and see the most magical of tales - with shadow puppetry, and a musical soundtrack - this is sure to delight audiences of all ages.
Shadowplay - Wild Rumpus
Shadowplay is a beautiful, playful experience where audiences of all ages can step into an imaginative world of light and shadow, exploring and playing together, conjuring shapes, characters and stories.
Eek! - Fettle and Fable Theatre
As the lights fade, join Fettle and Fable Theatre for a brand-new walkabout shadow performance as The Usherette performs 'Eek!' featuring mice, mischief and mayhem as we follow our dreams and reach for the moon! Thursday night only.
Woodland Animal Lanterns - A Bird in the Hand Theatre
Woodland Animal Lanterns are perfect for gentle interactions and play, including with the smallest of children. Featuring a Barn owl, deer and two lively squirrels, can you spot them exploring Mesnes Park? Friday and Saturday night only.
Light Night Wigan 2023 is funded by Wigan Council and Arts Council England, with kind support from Light Up the North Network, Things That Go On Things, Wigan Youth Zone, Friends of Mesnes Park, Wigan and Leigh College.
