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Seeing Bournemouth in a whole new light | ​​Arts by the Sea Festival 2024

July 11th

Seeing Bournemouth in a whole new light: Arts by the Sea announces three spectacular new artworks for the autumn festival

Four illuminating installations, including festival headliner and giant iridescent bubble sculpture, Evanescent, set to light up Bournemouth’s Lower Gardens from 27-29 September

Bournemouth is set to be illuminated as part of Arts by the Sea 2024, with three dazzling new installations set to shine a new light on arts in the town centre. From huge glowing bubbles to funky interactive sculptures, this year’s festival is set to be the brightest ever.

The 14th iteration of the festival will take place between Friday 27 – Sunday 29 September and will explore the theme of TASTE through its eclectic array of artworks transforming the town into a glowing creative hub. Hosting the immersive bubble experience, Evanescent, the playful and interactive Twist and Shine and the incredible light projects of Light Art Creatives, Bournemouth’s central spaces will beam to life for a weekend of artistry, colour and light.

Welcoming artists from near and far to showcase talents from all walks of life, Arts by the Sea is a celebration of art in every facet. From large scale installations to intimate spoken word performances, Bournemouth’s residents and visitors alike are invited into the town to explore their TASTE in art…

Evanescent – Atelier Sisu

Evanescent is an immersive, light and sound temporary environment in the form of giant iridescent bubbles. The larger than life, light-up installation is the work of award-winning Sydney-based art practice Atelier Sisu, led by Peruvian sculptor and industrial designer, Renzo B Larriviere, alongside architect and artist Zara Pasfield.

The creative duo work to create experiential environments, installations and unique sculptural pieces, which they call art-chitecture, a combination of art and architecture that is as immersive as it is captivating.

Renzo B. Larriviere and Zara Pasfield said: “Evanescent is a very playful piece and one that was created to explore the idea of transience through the visualisation of bubbles. We want the visitors to Arts by the Sea to feel a sense of child-like wonder as they explore amongst the sculpture’s parts and to consider the delicacy of the world around them, as represented by the bubbles which look as though they could pop at any moment.”

Arts by the Sea is dedicated to creating an inclusive environment and is committed to ensuring that all find the festival a safe environment where diversity is embraced. The Lower Gardens, where Evanescent will be situated this year, will offer a quieter space on the Friday evening, to offer visitors a calmer area away from the otherwise busy environment. The designated quiet space is in the PDSW foyer. Which is accessible Saturday and Sunday 10am- 9pm.

Kaleider’s Twist and Shine 

Twist and Shine is an invitation for Arts by the Sea’s visitors to manipulate and shape interactive light sculptures and is the work of international production studio, Kaleider.

Kaleider is the combined effort of South West-based producers Katie Keeler and Jocelyn Mills, artist and producer Irene Urrutia, manager Peter Vanderford and artist and director Seth Honnor. The team’s work combines installation, live performance and digitalisation to create immersive and interactive experiences that appeal to all audiences.

In line with this year’s theme, festival-goers will be able to alter the sculptures to reflect their own TASTE in art, allowing them to be a part of the festival’s creative expression. Every interconnected prism in Twist and Shine is able to be rotated, leading to infinite possibilities for the final result.

Katie Keeler and Jocelyn Mills, said: “Twist and Shine is completely interactive and so appeals to everyone, from children learning to express their creativity to art lovers who want to add their own touch to the festival. Every time someone interacts with and alters the sculpture, they create a new starting point for the next person to work from. By transforming the shape, they add another dimension to the sculpture’s story and history. Visitors can work together to create, work alone, or simply enjoy watching others experiment.”

Light Art Creatives x Rebecca Strickson

Light Art Creatives specialise in creating magical events using the art of light to transform static objects, buildings, aircraft and much more, into living, transformational and awe inspiring memories.

For Arts by the Sea, they’ll be taking the artwork created by this year’s Artist in Residence, Rebecca Strickson, to create an impressive light projection onto Bournemouth’s Upside Down House. Audiences can expect bold colours, vivid patterns and vibrant shapes transforming the Upside Down House from a functional, albeit unusual building, into a living art piece.

Julian Dorrell, Director at Light Art Creatives, said: “Rebecca’s artwork translates beautifully into light projections, with its vibrancy and beautiful use of colour. The upside down house is such an iconic building in Bournemouth and so the perfect place to transform into a magical artist masterpiece that is sure to delight visitors to the festival.”

Light Art Creatives x Digital Graffiti

Light Arts Creative will also be working with Canadian artist Louis-Robert Bouchard of Interferences, Arts and Technologies, to bring to Arts by the Sea the innovative and interactive project, Digital Graffiti. The digital projection-led piece will see festival-goers try their hand at digital graffiti, ‘spraying’ their own temporary designs onto Bournemouth Pavilion using spray can shaped controllers, to express their personal view of art.

Working together with Arts by the Sea, Louis received funding from Quebec City as part of the Cultural Development Program, allowing him to showcase the work at the festival for its European premier this September.

Louis-Robert Bouchard, Interactive Designer, said: “At Interferences, Arts and Technologies, we have been dedicated to developing a collaborative and flexible digital graffiti system that bridges technology with artistic expression. Our system has transformed the act of graffiti into an ephemeral and spectacular performance. We are thrilled to be a part of the 2024 Arts by the Sea celebrations, marking the first international presentation of our digital graffiti. This festival provides an incredible platform to showcase our innovative work and to inspire a diverse audience.”

Andrea Francis, Festival Director at Arts by the Sea, said: “With our theme of TASTE this year, visitors to the festival can expect to see a huge array of different types of art and become their own art critique, and we’re delighted with the light-based installations that will be seen for 2024! We want to invite everyone to come and sample the different art forms, to test out their own creativity, discuss what they like and dislike in art, and to rethink their own tastes, as they explore a new, luminous world of creativity from our brilliant artists.”

Arts by the Sea is a free festival that brings together large-scale spectaculars, diverse music, intriguing installations, dance, street theatre, participatory experiences and much more, in one unique and celebratory festival. It is founded by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP) Council. The festival is an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation, which means funding thanks to taxpayers and National Lottery players play a large part in making the event possible. More information can be found on the festival website: artsbythesea.co.uk

Editor Contacts:

Celeste Dooley, T: 07538 420162 – celeste@weareplaster.com

Natalie Johnson, T: 0785 5757420 – natalie@weareplaster.com