12 Feb, 2025

Light Up Kingston: about the installations

Running from 14th to 23rd February, between 4.30pm and 9pm daily, Light Up Kingston is an interactive public art event bringing light to February’s gloominess with mesmerising installations and captivating soundscapes. As the sun sets everyday, Kingston transforms into a colourful wonderland and invites visitors to explore the light trail, interact with the installations, and learn about their stories.

This year, we have collaborated with several inspiring providers, designers and artists to present 10 captivating light installations around the town centre. Each piece of art tells a story, symbolises powerful elements or has a connection to Kingston’s rich history. Read below to discover more about them, ahead of your visit to Kingston Upon Thames.

Kingston in Frames

Inspired by the sights and sounds of Kingston, as well as a nod to Edward Muybridge, artist Jadwega Ligeza, in conjunction with Studio KT1 and Riverside Walk showcases “Kingston in Frames“, now showing at Riverside Walk.
Jadwega is a BA Illustration Animation graduate from Kingston University who has spent the last six months creating this unique stop -motion animation piece from hand-cut paper and card to celebrate Kingston and the riverside. Each character and piece is hand drawn and cut out, then carefully photographed to form the final 2 minute film.

She highlights the town’s landmarks, rich history, vibrant culture, and the people who make Kingston special. The animation was commissioned by Canadian & Portland and Riverside Walk to be a permanent piece of public art.

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Heofon Light Maze (Ancient Market Place)

‘Heofon’ is an Old English word for the sky, heavens, the firmament.
Heofon Light Maze is an immersive light installation. Based on triangular geometry and built with panels of acrylic glass with a mechanical design where light reflects and shifts light rays along the entire colour range of a rainbow, while the spectator moves in the installation. On the outer perimeter the panels are covered with a dichroic film converting the interior to an infinity room. A unique cosmos of overlapping light patterns and constantly changing colours!

Nova (Exchange Square)

A new star has fallen, Nova, designed and created by Terraform and inspired by new beginnings. Nova embodies our enduring fascination with the stars and their everlasting connection to our earthly experience. Nova pays tribute to these stars, their mystery and beauty, and invites us to reflect on their profound impact on our imagination.

Bubble Tubes (Clarence Street)

Step into a world of colour and play with the vibrant and interactive installation: the Bubble Tubes! Standing an impressive 3 meters tall, these mesmerising tubes are filled with bubbling water and glowing lights.

Each tube is paired with its own colour-changing tap box, putting the power of transformation right at your fingertips. Tap to shift the hues, mix and match colours, or create your own dazzling light display. Perfect for all ages, this installation invites you to unleash your creativity and immerse yourself in an ever-changing rainbow of fun!

Designed and built by Luminism: a collection of creative minds, lighting designers, programmers and technicians.

Hothouse (Fusebox)

A whimsical garden of 6 interactive plant sculptures, each standing 2.5m tall. Brought to life through movement, light and air. Pioneering robotic technology Hothouse invites audiences of all ages to explore a collection of other-worldly botanical specimens. Find out how each one moves and immerse yourself in a robotic environment of colour and movement.

Air Giants is a creative studio making huge, joyful robots and powerful immersive experiences.

Projection Show ‘Off the Wall’ (Train Station)

Using specialised video projectors, the surface of the building will be transformed and brought to life with amazing colour and show stopping customed designed artwork for locals and visitors to enjoy. The concept revolves around an animated representation of a mural being illustrated. This digitally crafted mural will encapsulate themes and symbols that are emblematic of Kingston-upon-Thames, serving as a homage to the area.

Created by Double Take Projections, projection specialists who transform urban objects into mesmerising visual spectacles. Artwork by local mural artist Skyhigh.

Light Benches (Riverside Walk)

Curious about what it’s like to sit on light? By taking everyday objects out of their context, opens a new dimension of perception. Seen worldwide, the illuminated light benches come to life through programmed sequence, adding a whole new dimension of experiences when sitting down to reflect.

Seahorses – Meet ‘Sparkle and Glimmer’ (Riverside Walk)

Immersive Seahorse sculptures brought to life by an array of colour changing LEDs. The playful 3D sculptures subtly move through a sequence of vibrant and energetic colours. Seahorses are Chameleons of the sea, masters of camouflage, changing colour to blend into their environment and hide from predators, to communicate or to show off their health and wellbeing. Did you know that the Latin name for Seahorse is hippocampus which means horse caterpillar?

Concept by ARRO Lighting, who design, fabricate and organise light and festive installations and events.

Show Your True Colours (Church Street)

This enchanting light installation stands as a symbol of self-expression and pride. As dusk settles, the installation invites onlookers to pause and reflect on the importance of self-acceptance and the celebration of diversity. The interplay of lights through the tree’s branches evokes a sense of unity, reminding us that it is our collective differences that make our community vibrant and resilient.

Created by ARRO Lighting in collaboration with Kingston First.

Neon Old London Road

Illuminating the historic path that once connected Kingston to the capital, this lit up archway highlights Old London Road as a tribute to contemporary art and culture. Decorated in neon, the installation derives its name from the Greek ‘Neos,’ signifying ‘new.’ The juxtaposition of the ancient thoroughfare with the modern-day vibrancy of the street encapsulates a celebration of independent art, culture, and local businesses.

As the lights trace the symbolic entrance of Old London Road, they metaphorically bridge the gap between the past and the present, casting a spotlight on the new expressions and creativity that now thrive along this historic route.