Two Canadians Among Artists in 6th Amsterdam Light Festival

January 23, 2018

From November 30, 2017 to January 21, 2018, two Canadians were among international artists showing work designed exclusively for the sixth Amsterdam Light Festival. Organizers received 900 submissions from 45 different countries, and chose only 36.

A water exhibition comprised 21 artworks on and around the canals in the historical centre of Amsterdam. A land exhibition of 15 artworks toook place on Marineterrein Amsterdam. This year’s participating artists, designers and architects from Australia, Belgium, China, Canada, England, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kosovo, the Netherlands, Russia, and the United States based their work on a central theme: ‘Existential’.

The influence of light plays a leading role in Reanna Niceforo and Phil Sutherland’s project “Enlightened?” Niceforo and Sutherland are both from Toronto. The installation’s photo booth is not meant to take a photograph but instead, makes you become aware of the process essential for taking a shot: exposure. Once you step up to the window in the booth, light hits you from different directions and with varying intensities. You see the result in front of you, which is exposed to bystanders outside via a projection. The effect is quite dramatic: every few seconds you can change into a completely different person with varying temperaments from seductive to evil.

Niceforo and Sutherland were inspired by an allegory of Plato; a man, trapped in a cave, perceives only transient shadows and echoes (our daily reality) but never comes into contact with real life (the perfect, ordered world). We have the illusion that there is only one true version of ourselves.

Niceforo and Sutherland shed light on the fact that this one version does not exist at all: our self-image is like a shadow on the wall of the cave. With regards to the perception we have of ourselves, we are far from “illuminated.” And if the image we have of ourselves is so different, what does that say about the other firm assumptions we hold about the world around us?

Find out more about the festival: https://amsterdamlightfestival.com/en

Related Articles


Changing Scene

  • LEDucation 2024 – Concluded with Record-Breaking Attendance

    The LEDucation Trade Show and Conference, organized by the Designers Lighting Forum New York, wrapped 2024 with record-breaking attendance, welcoming more than 10,000 registrants from all aspects of the lighting industry. LEDucation celebrated its 18th year in New York City March 19–20 at the New York Hilton Midtown, becoming North America’s largest annual lighting industry… Read More…

  • Part 1: How Many Studies Does it Take to Change a Lightbulb?

    March 18, 2024 How studies in vision inform lighting standards at Night By Noah Sabatier Changing a light bulb in our home is perhaps the most simple task in which we can still credit ourselves for performing household maintenance. The amount of thought such an operation receives rarely extends beyond looking for the most efficient… Read More…


Design

  • Case Study: Windsor Family Credit Union (WFCU) with Salex SW

    Case Study: Windsor Family Credit Union (WFCU) with Salex SW

    February 6, 2024 Since 1940, WFCU Credit Union is a prominent and forward-thinking financial institution based in Windsor and Essex County. For over 80 years, WFCU has been dedicated to serving Ontario residents, community, organizations, small businesses, commercial entities, and public institutions. Their new headquarters in Kitchener was created as they continue to grow their… Read More…

  • Coaticook Suspended Footbridge: An Ever-Changing Luminous Canvas, Painted by Nature

    Coaticook Suspended Footbridge: An Ever-Changing Luminous Canvas, Painted by Nature

    December 5, 2023 At 170 m (554 ft) long and 50 m (160 ft) high, the Coaticook Canyon Bridge at Parc de la Gorge de Coaticook is one of the longest suspension footbridges in North America and one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Eastern Townships. For several years, the Parc de la… Read More…


New Products

  • Liteline ORBIT 2″ Gimbal Recessed Fixture

    The ORBIT is a 5 watt 2″ gimbal recessed light fixture for retrofit applications, with 360° rotation and 80° tilt. It is a high-performance, easy to install downlight solution that offers good light output, energy-efficiency and streamlined design. Suitable for wet locations and ideal for vaulted ceiling and soffit installations. BodyDurable aluminum body with 360°… Read More…

  • Acclaim Lighting Introduces All-Weather Terra Drum with Multiple Color Options

    Acclaim Lighting introduces the Terra Drum series, rugged, all-weather inground, drive-over ready rated fixtures designed for recessed façade and tree lighting applications.  Available in 15-, 30- and 60-watt versions, Terra Drums have a drive-over rating of up to 6,000 lbs. (2,721kg). They are offered in 2400K, 2700K, 3000K, 3500K, 4000K, Dynamic White (2700K-6000K), Quad Spectrum… Read More…