i Light Marina Bay 2016 to feature most number of local artists to date

SINGAPORE - Be prepared to see Marina Bay waterfront transformed into a colourful outdoor spectacle next month as i Light Marina Bay 2016 returns for its fourth edition.

Organised by the Urban Redevelopment Authority, this year's theme is 'In Praise of Shadows' and the festival invites visitors to re-imagine the fundamentals, forms and roles of light.

Held from March 4 to 27, the sustainable light art festival will feature 25 innovative installations with 14 designed by homegrown artists.

This is the highest participation of local artists to date.

Of the 14 local artworks, five are designed by educational institutions - also the highest number the festival has seen so far.

This year's line-up also features world-renowned artists who have participated in the festival, as well as audience-favourites from around the world.

Festival-goers can look forward to interacting with brighter and larger installations.

Local sound-media artist Zulkifle Mahmod's fairy tale-inspired SONICtower is the festival's tallest installation, standing at a towering 15 metres.

Visitors can also walk under Lampshade, a Norwegian piece made of bamboo structures designed to prevent sunlight from entering its interior in the day, but lights up at night with solar energy generated through its photovoltaic cells.

Co-curator of the festival and Principal Architect at Zarch Collaboratives Randy Chan said: "Each artwork was selected for its strong message and unique perspectives.

"The ensemble of artists for this edition is very diverse, and their artworks carry poignant narratives that we hope will inspire introspection and new ideas for positive change in every festival-goer."

The festival will also provide opportunities for education and knowledge exchange to extend the conversation on sustainable living to a wider audience through its i Light Symposium, taking place on Mar 7.

i Light Marina Bay 2016 will open from 7.30pm to 11pm daily with an extension to 12 midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, around the Marina Bay waterfront promenade. Admission is free.

For more information, visit www.ilightmarinabay.sg.

ssandrea@sph.com.sg