By IANS,
London : The northeastern British city of Durham is all lit up, thanks to a light festival that has an Indian flavour. Lighting techniques from Kolkata have been used to creatively illuminate the Framwellgate Bridge.
The “Enlightenment: Durham International Light Festival” was switched on Thursday night, with four of the city’s landmark bridges illuminated. Initiated by Durham City Arts, with support from Durham City Vision, the festival is part of their ‘Culture10’s East08’ – a celebration of contemporary Asian culture. It lasts till this weekend.
The Indian contribution is the use of lighting techniques from Kolkata. Kolkata-based Nandita Palchoudhuri and Sanchayan Ghosh have reinterpreted the city’s folklore and heritage through traditional Bengali techniques and the use of recycled and new material, according to the Northern Echo newspaper.
Ghosh has designed a lighting theme called the ‘Light of Darkness’. A part of it comprises two shining eyes suspended under the arches of Framwellgate Bridge. It celebrates Durham’s mining and industrial past with more than 300 helmets making up the glowing iris of each eye.
Said Clymene Christoforou, co-director of Isis Arts that commissioned the Indian art works: “We are delighted to have the artists here to finally see the work installed. It’s great to bring some of the colour and excitement of the streets of Bengal to the heart of Durham.”