Winter Light Festival in Canary Wharf, London
It is the ephemeral that makes the place.
This week's post will be shorter than usual due to a busy week filled with work, prior commitments, and most importantly, obligations to care for my elderly parents. While I am more than willing to assist my aging parents, it is becoming increasingly challenging to balance all my responsibilities.
At the Winter Light Festival 2023 in Canary Wharf, an installation called The Floating Earth by Luke Jerram stole the spotlight, attracting a daily crowd of over 100,000 visitors. It is truly remarkable that the organisers were able to draw such many people to East London during the chilly month of February.
The winter months can be a challenging time to activate public spaces due to the shorter daylight hours and cold weather. However, the limited daylight presents a unique opportunity to host events such as lighting shows. In my previous blog post, I discussed the appeal of Christmas lights at Battersea Power Station. The success of that installation was attributed to its scale and artistic concept. Not all light installations are equally successful, as evidenced by various Christmas lighting displays in Central London. While many shops and brands may create installations, not all of them could captivate audiences and draw large crowds.
Having spent a brief period working in Canary Wharf, I have come to appreciate the unique nature of this constantly evolving part of town. Originally designed as a financial centre to rival New York City's Financial District, Canary Wharf boasts a distinctive orthogonal grid street pattern, expansive road network, and modern skyscrapers. However, the streetscape may not be the most welcoming for pedestrians, lacking the diversity and variety of uses typically found in more traditional neighbourhoods like The City of London.
Despite these shortcomings, event organisers must be commended for strategically timing their show during a month with the fewest visitors. The decision to showcase The Floating Earth installation in the dock area adjacent to the main London Underground station was particularly inspired, as the spectacle garnered significant attention on social media.
The juxtaposition of a floating illuminated earth model against the backdrop of towering skyscrapers created a striking contrast between art and urbanity. The glimmering lights of the cityscape served as a stark contrast to the floating globe, symbolising our planet and prompting viewers to consider their role in environmental stewardship. It is fitting that this thought-provoking installation was temporarily placed in the heart of England's capital city, amidst the hustle and bustle of capitalism.
While capturing this art installation, I observed that most people were taking photos from outside the Canary Wharf Tube station. They were positioning themselves directly in front of the globe, with the Docklands DLR train serving as the main background. However, due to the large crowd of people standing four to five deep in the same location, I made the decision to move away from the crowd. I believed that my composition, which involved shooting from the side with the Tube station and skyscrapers in the background, provided a more impactful representation of the installation. It conveyed a powerful message about taking responsibility for our planet in contrast to the manmade structures behind it.
The winter light festival taught me about the power of the ephemeral. As I explored Canary Wharf and its surrounding neighbourhood, I encountered numerous temporary activities, including food trucks and outdoor seating areas. Even the retail businesses that would typically be closed were open to accommodate the influx of visitors.
The organisation of the light festival undoubtedly required months of planning to ensure smooth operation. The event not only attracted a significant amount of foot traffic but also generated free marketing through social media, leaving a lasting impression on visitors about Canary Wharf. The temporary installations served as a reminder of how a short-term transformation can have long-term effects on people's perceptions.
I look forward to the return of normal operations next week.
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My photographs are published on Instagram and online. Additionally, I am available for private commissions and collaborations with other organisations. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me for further inquiries or opportunities.