Your chance to shine at dazzling light show
Artists are being given the chance to shine at the region’s light spectacular, Lumiere.
Artichoke, the producers of the bi-annual event in DurhamCity,havelaunchedBRILLIANT, a £50,000 nationwide commissioning scheme for new works for the UK's leading light art event.
Six awards will be made, with the works to be shown alongsidethoseofinternationally-renowned artists at Lumiere,whichiscommissionedby Durham County Council and willtakeplaceinDurhamfrom November 18 to November 21, 2021.
Three of the awards will be reserved for North East residents, with the remaining three open to the rest of the country.
The BRILLIANT commissioning scheme is open to creative individuals living in the UK aged 18 or older and have a bright idea that will transform Durham’surbanlandscapeusing the medium of light.
Successful applicants will be supported by Artichoke with the production costs and technical expertise to create and install their artwork and receive a fee.
For the first time the scheme will be open to the UK, encouraging everyone to play a part in the North East spectacula.
Twenty-one BRILLIANT artworks have been shown across the previous editions of Lumiere Durham, which have attracted more than one million visitors.
Successful artists have made work using recycled objectsincludingglasswashedup fromtheoceanandsupersized everyday objects including knitting needles, desk lamps and a Slinky.
To broaden the diversity of those working in the medium of light art, Artichoke is encouraging applications from people with disabilities, as well as people from ethnic minorities.
HelenMarriage,directorof Artichoke, said: “BRILLIANT has fostered so much creative talent in the North East since it launched in 2011, and it has been fantastic to see how the winners’ careers have developed, contributing to County Durham’s reputation as a hub for light art.
“Thisyear,wearedelighted
to open up BRILLIANT to the whole country whilst continuing to shine a light on local talent, so that anyone with a great idea can have the opportunity to make it a reality.”
Councillor Simon Henig, Leader of Durham County Council, said: “BRILLIANT is a fantastic opportunity for people in the North East, and now the whole of the UK, to have their work featured in the UK’s mostprestigiouslightartfestival.Lumieregivesthemastage on which to showcase their work to tens of thousands of people, and in many cases has acted as a stepping stone into a full-time career as an artist.
“Equally importantly, by extending the competition outside of the region, we can strengthen County Durham’s reputationasaplaceofculture and creativity, where the arts are truly valued. This in turn will encourage more people to visit the county when it is safe todoso,boostingtradeforhospitality, leisure and retail businesses.”
Applications will close at 9am on February 11, 2021. All theinformationonhowtotake part in the BRILLIANT competition, including an information pack and application form, can be found at lumierefestival.com/brilliant-2021