Exhibition “The Illuminated River” stops at Riga Technical University

 

Exhibition of London’s Lighting Objects Competition “Illuminated River” finalist works at Riga Technical University Faculty of Architecture and Urban Design.

In 2016, “Illuminant River Foundation”, the Mayor of London, the “Rothschild Foundation” and other collaborators created an ambitious plan –  an idea of ligating 17 bridges over river Thames in one united work of art, with a total lenght of more than 2.5 miles.

105 teams from all world took the challenge and applied for the competition.The jury selected six most impressive, brightest and sustainable projects from all proposals. Among them  also applications of the project author of the future Contemporary Art Museum of Latvia “Adjaye associates” and other world-famous artists and architects. The winner of the competition was a project called “Current” (“Straume” in Latvian) by American sculptor and installation artist Leo Villareal.

Teams nominated for the competition consisted of professionals from various industries – architects, engineers, artists, programmers, environmental planners, writers and others. This competition is a great example of collaboration between different industries for one common goal. That is why, it is important that the exhibition, which at the end of the summer was hosted by the floating art center “NOASS”, will now be exhibited at the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning at Riga Technical University, thus not only continuing the city light festival “Staro Riga”, but also becoming more accessible to students and other visitors.

About the “Illuminated River”  (“Izgaismotā upe”) competition.

The Illuminated River exhibition presents an ambitious public art project of city of London. The organizers of which have set a task to highlight the role of the river in urban life and to provide more opportunities for residents and guests to enjoy the embankment area of the river after dark.

British organizers put forward the challenge to highlight London’s historic links with the river and promote the city’s reputation as a world-class creative industry. Similar ambition in the near future can also be inspirational for Riga, illuminating the Daugava embankment and bridges during the dark season of the year.

Shortlisted projects:

1)   Blurring Boundaries” Adjaye Associates;

2)    “The Eternal Story of the River Thames” AL_A and a team;

3)    “Synchronizing the City: Its Natural and Urban Rhythms”– Diller Scofido + Renfro;

4)  “A River Ain’t Too Much To Light” – Les Éclairagistes Associés;

5)    “Thames Nocturne” – Sam Jacob Studio and Simon Heijdens;

6)     “Current” – Leo Villareal.

Time and place of the exhibition: Riga Technical University, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Kipsalas iela 6. From 29 November to 22 December 2017. Entrance free of charge.

 

Special events: on the 30th of November an open lecture of the exhibition’s curator in Riga Mr. Dzintars Zilgalvis, who will introduce all finalist projects During the final week of exhibition a presentation of a contest finalist, London-based company “Arup” and a discussion on a topic of urban lighting will take place in RTU (time of the lecture will be specified).

 

Exhibition is organized by: NOASS Association in cooperation with RTU Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning with informative support: British Embassy in Riga.

 

The project is implemented with the financial support of the State Culture Capital Foundation of Latvia.

More information: kaspars@noass.lv, or calling +371 26324433.

 

More information about the competition “The Illuminated River”

http://illuminatedriver.london/