Speirs + Major will transform the underpass of the A13 in London while Leni Schwendinger will lead a ‘NightSeeing LightWalk’ at London’s first ever ‘Light Night’ in Canning Town on Saturday 30 November.
The free event which aims to champion arts and culture will feature several major new artistic commissions in addition to live music, games, workshops, food stalls and bars with hot and cold drinks.
Light Nights or White Nights are night time arts festivals and an increasingly international phenomena, occurring in cities such as Paris, St Petersburg, Cairo, Havana, Leeds, Liverpool and Brighton. Events will typically see museums, private and public art galleries, and other cultural institutions open and free of charge, with the centre of the city itself being turned into a de facto art gallery, providing space for art installations, performances (music, film, dance, performance art), themed social gatherings, and other activities.
Rosie Freeman, co-director of organisers the Brick Box said “Light Nights have a tradition of championing cultural activity after dark as well as making beautiful art accessible to many and Light Night Canning Town will be no exception. But the Light Night concept is particularly relevant in Canning Town because it is an area which suffers from negative perceptions and which truly benefits from the transformative power of the arts. Contrary to those perceptions and statistics of high deprivation, there is a strong community here and a real thirst for arts and culture”.
Councillor Conor McAuley, Newham Council’s executive member for regeneration, said: “This is an opportunity to see this part of Canning Town like you have never seen it before. There’s a huge appetite amongst the local community for events and activities, particular where they can participate and become involved directly. This event will also help to raise the profile of Canning Town across London, thereby establishing it as a destination in its own right and supporting the long term regeneration of the area”.
