Data: 07-12-2018 to 16-12-2018
This winter, Quays Culture presents Lightwaves 2018, a free, 10-day interactive light festival illuminating Salford Quays and MediaCityUK from Friday 7 December to Sunday 16 December.
Transforming public spaces with stunning digital light art, the festival showcases newly commissioned installations, emerging talent, and interactive workshops from local, national, and international artists. Sixteen free light experiences will brighten the dark winter nights.
Festival Highlights
- Youth Culture by renowned London-based artist Stanza features a towering hooded figure that visualizes real-time visitor data using LED displays and sensors, offering a poetic, participatory experience.
- SPECTRUM, a co-commission with Montreal’s Quartier des Spectacles by creative collective HUB, invites visitors to speak into the artwork, activating sound and waves of light across large circular structures—bridging communication through motion and technology.
- Kimatica Studio brings a digital interactive wall to life with movement-responsive projections that blur the line between fantasy and reality.
- Illuminim, a new collaborative piece led by Manchester artist James Medd and Eagle Labs, features glowing floating buoys that respond to audience interaction with coordinated light patterns.
- William Latham, digital art pioneer and professor at Goldsmiths, invites guests into a surreal cyberworld through an immersive VR experience.
- The Red Squirrel, a returning favorite from the Unnatural Borders series, towers once again over MediaCityUK—this time lit with dazzling projections that bring the 3D endangered animal to life.
Returning Commissions
- Cathedral of Mirrors by Mads Christensen: 12 mirrored columns react to movement with LED light, creating a spectrum of interactive patterns.
- Heart Beat by GNI Projects: Visitors join hands to activate a heart-shaped pulse of light through steel rods, symbolizing human connection.
Emerging Talent
As part of the SHINE programme, four up-and-coming artists debut works:
- Mirror Stage by Gillian Hobson: A playful cube with reflective surfaces and vivid projections.
- Electronika K9 Walk by Jane Webb: A sculpture of a boy and his dog, crafted from recycled wires, lights up after dark.
- Colour Curiosity by Megan Fell: Upcycled drawers, each revealing a unique color and sound when opened.
- Aura by Ronan Devlin: A bio-responsive light display that visualizes viewers’ emotional states using facial recognition.
The Light Lab installation, developed with the Light Up The North network, features seven artists including Aether + Hemera, Mick Stephenson, and David Ogle, all responding to creative briefs during an artist residency.
Special Collaborations
Quays Culture continues its partnership with Blackpool Illuminations, showcasing iconic pieces such as the Daleks, Tardis, and a custom Manchester bee lightbox from the UK’s most famous light display.
A free mobile app—developed by the team behind Bee in the City—will be available to guide visitors through the festival’s attractions.
The festival launches with a performance by the Manchester Survivors Choir at 7pm on Friday 7 December, followed by a weekend of workshops, talks, and tours.
Plan Your Visit
Salford Quays offers a vibrant mix of culture, leisure, and dining. Within walking distance are attractions like The Lowry, Ordsall Hall, and Quays Culture, as well as venues like The Alchemist, Lime Restaurant, and The Copthorne Manchester—making it the perfect spot for a winter day out or weekend break.
Follow the hashtag #Lightwaves2018 for updates and highlights.
