Switched On London

When it comes to lighting festivals, Lyon and Frankfurt are the big boys but their success and growth have created sparks that have flown in all directions throughout the world. This prompted Mondiale Publishing to turn the spotlight on London and propose the idea of hosting a festival of light to showcase UK lighting design talent on its home ground.

Switched ON London is a seven night celebration of the relationship between light, architecture and the city consisting of temporary lighting installations and a series of light related events with an overall concept theme of 'theatre'. So, the 'Gods of Light' willing, London's first festival of light will run from the 8th to the 16th February 2007 in conjunction with ARC 07 at the Business Design Centre.

The festival is an extension of an established event which in 2006 attracted an audience of over 2500 UK and overseas visitors. The events will take place in the POOL OF LONDON, a natural amphitheatre within the city, encompassing the river Thames, bordered by Tower Bridge and London Bridge and including many famous landmarks. The Pool of London already recognises the importance of light in the city nightscape and has demonstrated commitment to urban improvement by commissioning a permanent lighting strategy for the area. Supported by The Pool of London, Visit London, the City of London, Southwark and New London Architecture, we aim to illuminate some of the rich and diverse examples of architecture in the area in theatrical splendour; The Tower of London, HMS Belfast, London Bridge, No 1 London Bridge, Customs House, The Scoop, Hay's Galleria, Hays Wharf, the North and South walkways and even the river itself with Kevan Shaw and Malcolm Innes 'Cygnus' concept - an installation based on the theme of Swan Lake. There is even a guerilla lighting event planned by BDP (no details yet!).

The Festival will also include special events such as an illuminated bike ride (open to all)and sustainable street lights powered by donkey dung! Arup Lighting present the Tallin light dome reworked for London alongside a new installation and Chetwoods 'Urban Oasis' makes a central London comeback. Switched On London aims to get the visitor thinking about the city nightscape; 'switching people on' to their environment' and gives the lighting industry a chance to promote the responsible use of light for urban improvement. Although we understand that energy use is a 'burning issue', we need light to live and as our lifestyles evolve, the benefits of good urban lighting are undeniable. The perception is that architectural lighting leads to wasted energy and light pollution. However, the majority of the lighting industry continually strives to tackle the issue of energy. From luminaire design that avoids light pollution to the promotion of lower energy and more efficient sources, the lighting industry is well educated in recycling, waste issues and the misuse of our natural resources. Our hope is that Switched On London will have value beyond simple decoration. It is an opportunity to use light to educate and perversely may even create the chance to switch parts of London off.

The team behind the proposal consists of Directors Paul James and Justin Gawne of Mondiale publishing, myself as Curator, Development Manager Stella Buchan-Ioannou (Deputy Director of the London Architecture Biennale), Project Co-ordinator Emma Cogswell of the International Association of Lighting Designers and a steering group made up of the following people; Tad Trylski (Erco), Bob Bohannon (Sill), Ian Stanton (iGuzzini), Mike Simpson (Philips), Helen Loomes (Blue Ridge Consultancy), Kevin Theobald (NDY Light/IALD), Peter Western (Martin Architectural), Harry Barnitt (Zumtobel) and Allan Howard of Mouchel Parkman as Technical Adviser. The IALD has invited a selection of professional lighting designers to become 'Design Directors' for the chosen sites. Each has been matched with the commitment of a manufacturer to provide equipment for the specific project.

Any concepts, which do not come to fruition, will be part of an exhibition at ARC 07 and will also be given the chance of realisation at the next Switched On London in 2008.We thank all those involved for their enthusiasm and belief. Although this project is suffering from a ludicrously tight timescale and numerous other obstacles, it is moving forward out of goodwill and the generous support of those who wish to be involved. The big idea is for 'Switched On London' to be an annual or bi-annual event with whatever is achieved in Feb 2007 being the beginning of something that we hope will expand as the years pass; 'from little acorns grow large oaks...'