An honour to participate in Sharjah light fest: Artists
It was a prestigious moment for Amin Sammakieh, a Lebanese-British artist and founder of Plan A Creative, who participated in the Sharjah Light Festival. He had been eagerly waiting for years to showcase his creativity on a grand scale.
Sammakieh has left his mark on various monuments across the region, contributing his expertise to illuminating buildings with captivating content. Having previously participated in light festivals in Russia and Japan, Sammakieh said: “It’s an honour to be here at the festival. I have been looking at the festival closely for years and now, I finally get to illuminate one of the most attractive monuments in Sharjah”.
At the festival, he illuminated Al Noor Mosque, located in Al Majaz Corniche. The artist found the task both challenging and rewarding, as he worked on all four facades of the mosque, creating an immersive 360-degree illumination. “One of the highlights of the art was incorporating reflections on the water metallic structure, adding a unique dimension to the visual spectacle,” Sammakieh said.
Speaking about the significance of illuminating a mosque, Sammakieh said that it symbolises enlightenment for everyone who gazes upon it.
Describing his art form as a visual marvel and a perfect canvas, Sammakieh said that each façade of the structure was illuminated with hundreds of changing colours that created a fascinating kaleidoscope effect. The animation featured beautiful arabesque patterns which enhanced the mosque’s beauty, making it a breathtaking sight for spectators.
Sammakieh said that the front of the mosque is the most captivating, while also appreciating the angular corners that provide a unique perspective from the sides.
Stefan Ihmig, who participated for the second time, said that the festival is one of the best in the world. He brought a magical touch to Al Dhaid Fort with his 3D projection mapping spectacle, ‘Echoes of Al Dhaid,’ and the Sharjah Police Headquarters.
Despite not physically visiting the locations, Ihmig’s team captured hundreds of photos to meticulously map the dimensions, colours, and elements of both the fort and Sharjah Police headquarters. “The most challenging task was not visiting the place and looking at the monuments. But we made sure that we did not miss out on a millimetre of the structures,” said Ihmig.
Using the captivating trio of light, shadow and music, Ihmig’s production delved into profound themes like interconnectedness, cultural legacy and the transcendental nature of human experience.
“We worked for nearly six months on the monuments,” Ihmig said, mentioning another challenge faced illuminating expansive structures like the old fort and the police headquarters. “The Dhaid fort, initially sporting a single colour, transformed into a dazzling display of hundreds of vibrant hues. It looked so magical,” he said.
“The drone show added an extra layer of attractiveness to my work. It perfectly blends with the theme and gives the audience a wide screen to watch the spectacle,” Ihmig said.
The 13th edition of the Sharjah Light Festival, organised by SCTDA, saw enchanting narratives on 12 iconic landmarks. The event concluded on Sunday. This edition featured 3D holograms, projection mapping, and kinetic live installations. Over 15 international artists from eight countries, including Germany, the UK, France, Russia and Italy, contributed to the cutting-edge showcase.
Speaking about the significance of illuminating a mosque, Sammakieh said that it symbolises enlightenment for everyone who gazes upon it.