The first Bristol Light Festival was switched on last night – Watershed is very excited to welcome this illuminating programme of local and international talent, lighting up the city throughout the weekend (Thu 27 Feb – Sun 1 March) with installations and projections.

Bristol talent (including residents from Watershed’s Pervasive Media Studio) is being showcased alongside international light artists in nine city centre locations.

Studio residents Jasmine Thompson, Limbic Cinema, Joanie Lemercier and Tine Bech, and Watershed board member Parys Gardener all have work in the programme – plus Watershed’s building is home to a four-foot neon sign installation featuring a famous Bristol phrase (Cheers Drive).

Jasmine Thompson and Parys Gardener’s work – kept under wraps until now - was unveiled last night, projected over Banksy’s famous ‘Well Hung Lover’ piece on Park Street.

Their collective work, named Neighbours, imagines what might be happening in the other windows, and also includes contributions from Bristol graffiti artist Inkie and illustrator, painted and mural artist Zoe Power – all of which are brought to life by Studio residents Limbic Cinema.

Studio resident Tine Bech, meanwhile, brings her interactive light installation Pink Enchantment to Castle Bridge, and fellow resident Joanie Lemercier brings two fulldome pieces (Nimbes and Nebulae) to We The Curious’ Planetarium.

Joanie Lemercier says:

"I’d never be where I am today and making a living from art without the eight years I lived in Bristol, the openness and vitality of the art scene here and the incredible support of Watershed in particular. I felt I randomly arrived in the perfect place at the perfect time."

Bristol Light Festival 2020 is the first of a three-year series brought to you by Bristol City Centre Business Improvement District (BID), in partnership with the Arts and Events team at Bristol City Council and the Digital Cultures Research Centre at the University of the West of England. The Festival is being delivered, curated and produced by Bristol based creative directors Katherine Jewkes and Vashti Waite.

See all the Bristol Light Festival installations (in Cabot Circus, Queen Square, Castle Park, Harbourside and the City Centre) from 17:00 – 23:00 Thu 27 – Sat 29 Feb and 17:00 – 22:00 on Sun 1 March.

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