Colour & Light has enjoyed another successful year!
Colour & Light 2024 ran from 7th – 25th February 2024. The project transformed part of the city with a vibrant light display during the colder winter months, to bring footfall and provide a much-needed economic boost for local businesses during a quieter time of the year, with over 35,000 audience members enjoying the show!
Colour & Light is a high impact and large-scale visual arts project, using 3D projection mapping to bring York’s iconic buildings to life. The project launched in 2023 at York Minster and celebrates the city’s UNESCO Media Arts status.
In 2024, York BID worked with York Museums Trust to illuminate the façade of York Art Gallery. You can enjoy the following YouTube uploads of each event:
Double Take Projections are the experts behind the project, who architecturally scanned the façade of York Art Gallery, and York Minster, to generate a 3D model. This model served as the template for content application. From there, they used multiple projections to create one seamless image by projecting from different angles and wrapping content on the irregularly shaped façade.
Carl Alsop, York BID’s Operations Manager, reflects on the project. He said:
“This event is all about making world-class culture more accessible, and it’s been brilliant watching the show from Exhibition Square, traditionally a quiet and reserved space, with children playing, dancing and laughing, and people from all backgrounds enjoying the show together. It’s also been great to see people discovering some of the less obvious aspects of the projection on a second viewing. Audiences have enjoyed various buildings from York’s skyline reimagined in different mediums, as well as seeing elements of the Art Gallery, like the mosaics on each side of the building, brought to life.”
Richard Saward, York Museums Trust’s Head of Visitor Experience and Commercial, said:
“We’re thrilled to be involved with York BID’s Colour & Light show. This event kicks off a fantastic season at York Art Gallery, including The Aesthetica Art Prize 2024 exhibition and ‘National Treasure’ Claude Monet’s painting The Waterlily-Pond, which will be on display in York from 10th May to celebrate the 200th birthday of the National Gallery.”
David Flesher, Commercial Director at LNER, said:
“We’re proud to support Colour & Light 2024 and to be part of a vibrant project which not only showcases the beautiful architecture of York Art Gallery, but also encourages visitors and residents to come and enjoy everything York has to offer, providing an important boost to local businesses.”
Colour & Light 2024 was proudly brought to you by York BID, in collaboration with York Art Gallery, Double Take Projections, and lead funding partner LNER. Supported by HSBC and City Cruises.