The project, a combination of light, sound and new digital technologies, has been funded by the Arts Council England and sponsored by Smartest Energy.Renowned for creating light art that puts the space and the public at the heart of the work, Creatmosphere’s Light Waves aims to situate the Jerwood DanceHouse at the centre of a new, vibrant and creative district by lighting-up the familiar space that spans from Stoke Bridge to The Mill. Emanating from the DanceHouse and moving through four buildings, Light Waves shines a new light on the area, by drawing on the latest digital technologies to offer the public a chance to choreograph their own lighting show.

As Creatmosphere Creative Director Laurent Louyer states: ‘As well as influencing the colour of the wave of light pulses, the public will also be able to affect the nature of a projected animation and it’s accompanying soundscape by interacting with the light. The longer the public interact with it, the more they evolve the experience!’

Councillor Bryony Rudkin, leisure portfolio holder for
Ipswich Borough Council said: ‘We are excited to be working with Creatmosphere on Light Waves and are grateful to Arts Council England for funding this project. We hope Light Waves will not only enhance visitors experiences of the Waterfront but benefit local businesses while adding to the town’s rapidly developing cultural scene.’“Better light, less power” is a motif that runs throughout Creatmosphere’s projects so it was important to us that the lighting scheme was energy efficient and as a result uses low-energy LEDs throughout.

Project Sponsor Jo Butlin, Vice President at SmartestEnergy which purchases and supplies electricity from independent generators such as communities, farmers and businesses, said: “As a fast-growing energy company which is expanding its presence in Ipswich, we are delighted to be supporting Light Waves. The project is a great example of how an innovative approach to energy can create a dramatic visual impact without a significant carbon footprint.” “It also ties in with our work to support the move to a low carbon economy in the UK through our growing portfolio of renewable energy projects.”

Light Waves is set to run for two years and will be visible to the public every night from dusk until midnight.