The eagerly awaited 18th annual City of Lights procession brought glittering costumes, magical paper lanterns and an electric atmosphere of over 25,000 spectators gracing the streets of Truro.
This year saw the unveiling of two digital installations to mark this year’s WW1 centenary commemorations.
Funding from the Arts Council England and Feast enabled the commission of one projection and one interactive installation to be showcased in two separate locations in Truro. These artworks will be on display for the following late night shopping Wednesday evenings.
The film installation ‘Active Service’, created by visual artist Bridgette Ashton, references archive photographs and stories of a mounted WW1 artilleryman, Private Edmund James, whose 93 year old son lives in Falmouth.
Meanwhile, Alcwyn Parker and Dr James Moore have created an interactive installation a memorial, in the form of a wall of red lights called ‘Light Field’.
Upon the approach of pedestrians, motion sensors trigger a field of blood-red lights, each representing different WW1 casualties from the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry.
The bulb stays alit for a number of seconds in align with the age of the soldier on their death and a voice projection speaks the name of the fallen.
Charlotte Davis, who has curated the pieces on behalf of the City of Lights team, said: “Coming just days after Armistice Day, this year’s event was particularly resonant with the audience, with the digital installations and paper lanterns inspired by the anniversary of the start of the First World War.
“The digital installations are a unique way to extend the life of this inspiring community event and leave an impression on the city and its people.”
‘Active Service’ can be seen on the upper floors of Calendar Club on Boscawen Street during the parade itself on Wednesday 19th November and ‘Light Field’ will be showcased alongside the library on Union Place.
The following Wednesday evenings on the run up to Christmas will continue to showcase the two commissions on the November 26, December 3, 10 and 17 in unison with Truro’s late night shopping.
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