1,500 LED-lit Pigeons Fly over London in Art Display

July 10, 2018

During the London International Festival of Theatre (Lift) last month, 1,500 LED-lit pigeons soared into the skies above the River Thames in a glorious spectacle of unprecedented scale and beauty. The 40-minute event was in homage to 100,000 pigeons that carried messages on behalf of the British during the First World War.

During the war, pigeons carried messages from ship to shore, from the battlefield to command post, and from pilots to forces on the ground. Some 95% of messages arrived safely, changing the course of battles and saving dozens of lives.

The artist Duke Riley collaborated with a design and technology firm to create special, lightweight, pigeon leg bands that contain a tiny, remote-controlled LED light. The lights were specially designed for Fly By Night and they used exactly the same design as normal leg bands worn by all domesticated birds; simply with the addition of a tiny LED light. The total weight of the band is only around 6 grams.

Find out more: www.liftfestival.com/events/flybynight.

Related Articles


Changing Scene

  • LEDVANCE Expands Ontario Presence with New Specification Agent

    LEDVANCE Expands Ontario Presence with New Specification Agent

    LEDVANCE is pleased to announce the appointment of Sterling Architectural Products Ltd. (Sterling Lights) as their new specification agent in Ontario. This partnership strengthens LEDVANCE’s presence in the region and reinforces their commitment to serving the professional lighting design and specification community with innovative, reliable lighting solutions. With decades of experience and a service-driven mindset,… Read More…

  • May 29, 2025 - Eureka Wins Three 2025 Red Dot Awards for Product Design

    Eureka Wins Three 2025 Red Dot Awards for Product Design

    Eureka is pleased to announce that its Velia, Cirra, and Junction luminaires have each received a 2025 Red Dot Design Award for Product Design. It is the 11th consecutive year that Eureka products have been honored with this prestigious award, which is a testament to the company’s consistency and relentless drive to design exceptional luminaires.… Read More…


Design

  • The Residential Contractor’s Guide to Layering Light

    The Residential Contractor’s Guide to Layering Light

    Too often, lighting plans default to the basics: a central ceiling fixture here, a few recessed cans there. Functional? Sure. But memorable? Not even close. That’s where knowing how to layer light comes in — a deceptively simple design principle that adds depth, mood, and polish to every space. With a few strategic choices, you… Read More…

  • 60-Watt vs 100-Watt Light Bulbs: Brightness & Wattage

    60-Watt vs 100-Watt Light Bulbs: Brightness & Wattage

    With the widespread use of LED light bulbs, the replacement and upgrade of different light bulbs have also made the concept of “equivalent wattage” more and more discussed. When comparing 60-watt vs 100-watt bulb, the wattage and brightness are the factors that need to be figured out first. Wattage is used to measure the energy consumption while many… Read More…


New Products