Spectacular light projections on iconic buildings, bridges, statues, trees and Merrion Square Park have transformed Dublin city centre this year. And there’s still plenty of time to enjoy them!
This year’s Festival included the first ever International ‘Dublin City Council Dublin Winter Lights’ GPO and Custom House Competition. Artists from all over the world submitted applications for their work to feature on the GPO and Custom House buildings. The shortlisted artworks are now transforming the buildings as they become the perfect canvas for stunning graphics throughout December.
The competition entries showcased a rich tapestry of talent and perspectives from around the world. Eight exceptional artworks on each building bring light, movement and imaginative to life in innovative and exciting ways. The designs were created specifically for either the GPO or the Custom House and interact with the physical environment as they constantly move across the buildings, telling their stories.
The two talented winners of the International ‘Dublin City Council Dublin Winter Lights’ GPO and Custom House Competition are DecideKit and Vali Chincișan. The winning artists will each be awarded a prize of €15,000.
DecideKit’s winning projection for the GPO, Mycorrhiza, explores how everything on the earth, even if they are different, is connected as part of one another. See this amazing projection in person on O’Connell Street or click here to watch a video on the ‘Dublin City Council Dublin Winter Lights’ website.
Romanian artist Vali Chincișan’s winning projection for the Custom House, Astral Pathways is a journey through the cosmic realm, with connections and transformations within astral pathways. See this colourful projection in person on Custom House Quay or Georges Quay. You can click here to watch a video on the ‘Dublin City Council Dublin Winter Lights’ website.
There’s lots more to enjoy in ‘Dublin City Council Dublin Winter Lights’. Stroll around the city and see how the Spire becomes a beacon of light visible for miles around. LED neon shapes surround the trees, bringing a splash of ever-changing colour to O’Connell Street. The magic continues on the street as imaginative light features highlight seven iconic statues.
In Merrion Square Park, there’s playfulness, interactivity and lighting projections to enjoy as stories are brought to life in Dublin’s iconic Georgian Square.
Enjoy shimmering, festive lights while visiting the much-loved live animal crib at the Mansion House. Marvel at the creativity of some of Dublin’s youngest artists as the artworks from the Children’s Art Competition take over the side of 3 Palace Street in Barnardo Square, Dame Street. When you’re there, enjoy the imaginative light projection onto the side of City Hall.
Three of Dublin city’s bridges also feature as part of the Festival. The lighting on Dublin Samuel Beckett Bridge includes an original piece of harp music performed as part of a vibrant display on the strings of the bridge. Colourful new LED lighting along The Ha’penny Bridge connects both sides of the Liffey. The ever popular colour rainbow arches are back on the Millennium Bridge – get ready for some great insta moments.
Follow the magic in Dublin city centre this December with ‘Dublin City Council Dublin Winter Lights!
For further information on this year’s festival, visit dublinwinterlights.ie
