The Light District Archives

Space – God, The Universe and Everything – St Bees Priory – 14th – 15th March 2024

Created with the support of Cumberland Council’s destination management team, the event was part of a new programme of events called ‘The Light District’, curated by the council’s Discover Carlisle team.

‘Space – God, The Universe and Everything’ by Luxmuralis took people on a walking journey through St Bees Priory, revealing the universe, galaxies, space, creation, and light through a variety of sound and light installations transforming the Priory. Thousands travelled from miles around to witness this unique and spectacular immersive artwork in this beautiful historic coastal setting.

Science – Carlisle Cathedral and Castle – 23rd – 25th February 2023

‘Science’ is designed to enable people to explore and contemplate the contributions of science and human understanding of the physical world around us.

The artwork explores Chemistry and Biology and interprets artistically the scale of molecules cells and DNA as well as exploring the history of science, the contributions of science to humanity, and offers a reflection upon famous scientists past and present.

City of Lights is brought to you by the Discover Carlisle team (Carlisle City Council) and Luxmuralis in association with Cumbria County Council, Carlisle Cathedral, Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery and English Heritage. It is supported by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

What people said:

“Just back from the Science Son et Lumiere show at Carlisle. I love a light show and this one was fab. You could see the lasers from Penrith!”

“Loved the Carlisle in Lights last night… the science theme was great with the emphasis on women.. Photos don’t do the shows justice, really worth seeing if you are in Carlisle tonight. Also some awesome music and it was nice to see the City bustling.”

“Wonderful sights and sounds. Well done to everyone involved”

Hadrians Wall 1900 festival at Carlisle City of Lights: ‘Luguvalium’ – 21st – 23rd October 2022

‘Luguvalium’ was part of the Hadrians Wall 1900 festival in Carlisle over three nights in October 2022.

Designed so that the viewers were immersed in a fantasic sound and light experience which transported them through time from the present day back to Roman times in Luguvalium – Carlisle.

The sound and light experiences brought many of the citys landmark buildings to life, with illuminations covering Carlisle Cathedral, Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery, and Carlisle Castle.

What people said:

“Superb night”

“A fantastic event”

In the press:

City of Lights festival brings Carlisle’s Roman heritage to life

Carlisle City of Lights welcomes 4,000 people to Hadrian’s Wall-themed event

Carlisle’s City of Lights spectacular attracts more than 4,000 visitors

City of Lights – Carlisle Castle and Carlisle Cathedral – 14th – 16th October 2021

The artwork shown at Carlise Cathedral, titled ‘Life’, was designed to enable people to contemplate their own personal journeys and reflect upon a 24-hour period of life on today’s planet. The audience was taken from sunset to sunrise, journeying through the beauty of planet earth, witnessing the sun, the oceans and the clouds.

The second artwork, at Carlisle Castle, was a beautiful artwork created from the textures, forms, and colours of human creativity. Developed from collections at the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford the work was a celebration of the beauty of human life.

Sounds heard are musical pieces composed by David Harper who used recorded anthropological soundtracks from collections of the Pitt Rivers Museum within his works.

The artwork and visual imagery were created by artist Peter Walker who interpreted collections from the Natural History Museum Oxford and the William Morris Museum, depicting nature and artistically highlighting core issues in the subject of life on earth.

What people said:

“City of lights was so beautiful tonight”

“Went to the special festival of light show which was amazing. The cathedral looked beautiful”

In the press:

https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/19651254.positive-reaction-carlisle-city-lights-first-night/