Illuminated spheres float down the Bow River in 2010.
“A sense of wonder pervaded as, silently, the multicolored constellation emerged from the surrounding blackness. The spheres converged and dispersed, mapping the river’s topography as they disappeared around islands and materialized back into view.” This vivid description comes from Canadian writer Linda Hawkins, who witnessed the 2010 River of Light in Calgary. And in commemoration of the recent World Water Day, we take a look at the origins, aims and future of the River of Light itself
Floating green spheres resplendent
Hawkins’ account conveys some of the excitement and wonder that accompanies the River of Light event. Part art installation, part awareness campaign, the River of Light was first launched in 2008 on London’s River Thames. On that occasion, 250 illuminated spheres were released along a one-mile (1.5 kilometer) section of the river in Windsor-Eton.
The spheres’ glow is reflected in the water.
Since the first event in London, the River of Light has traveled – evolving as it has done so – to the Bow River in Canada (where most of these images are from) and on to Red Deer, Alberta (also in Canada) for this year’s event. The object of the undertaking is to highlight the conservation of water and rivers all over the planet.
Multicolored light balloons near Calgary
In June 2013, floating, light-filled barrels will sail down the Red Deer River, commemorating the city of Red Deer’s 100th birthday. The barrels will replace the lit spheres of previous years; and the river, which is a water supply for the area, will become a center for sculpture installations and sound shows.
Setting the spheres adrift in the river
“The project takes the functional object [of] the rain barrel and transforms it into a sculptural, structural, modular light object that becomes the basis for a large-scale floating light installation,” explains Laura Jennings of Creatmosphere, the art studio behind the project. “This light barrel sheds new light on issues surrounding water preservation and river conservation by illuminating rivers around the world.”
Light barrels for 2013’s River of Light in Red Deer River
Creatmosphere are in preparation for the upcoming River of Light in June 2013. They have been collaborating with students at Red Deer College to develop this year’s floating light barrels. As mentioned previously by Jennings, these objects are inspired by rain barrels and will act as a local symbol of the world’s water usage.
