FESTIVAL OF LIGHT, LYON “LIGHT JEWELRY”

Lyon, the second largest city in France, is known for its internationally famous “Festival of Lights.” Each year in December, the entire city is colorfully adorned with light installations. Drawing 500,000 spectators, the event is the third largest in the world in terms of spectator numbers. This amazingly high popularity can be attributed to its high level of quality. In order for a work to participate, it has to advance to the finalist stage of the strict design competition, and then it must pass the scrutiny of judges. It is the stage where the world’s top lighting artists go head-to-head. I had attended the festival every year up until then, with my sights set on someday exhibiting a work. On my third occasion in 2006, my wish was truly fulfilled.

Through Lyon run two rivers, the Saone and the Rhone, which forms its landscape. At night, it seemed to me pity that these would become a black zone, and so we conceived a way to make a trimming over the bridge using accessories, such as lace ornaments, made of light. The installation work was severely hampered by record-breaking strong wind gusts, but the installation was warmly received and provided the breakthrough that allowed us to exhibit the following year.