LUZA Algarve International Festival of Light

Arts & Culture Inspiration

A magical world of light in Loulé, Algarve

The LUZA Algarve International Festival of Light will take place in Loulé from 24th to 26th November 2017. The Festival, the first of its kind in the region, is set to bedazzle and bewitch with a series of impressive and interactive installations throughout the town. LUZA will showcase the work of world class artists while also being a completely accessible and ultimately fun experience for all ages.

LUZA is the brainchild of Beau McClellan, artist and designer of amazing light installations and Eventors Lab - the chemistry of events. From his Loulé based ByBeau creative studio, Beau's works can be found all over the world. The LUZA Festival, driven by Beau's and the Eventors Lab creative energy, brings together artists from the UK, Germany, France, Poland, Spain, Portugal and Japan. (See the full lists of artists below). The aim is to bring an innovative light event to the Algarve, placing the region firmly on the map of international light design festivals such as those in Paris or in Torino, Italy.

Over the three days of the festival, at which entry is free, those attending can enjoy a wealth of sensory experiences at some of Loulé's iconic locations such as the video mapping display on the walls the famous Loulé Market, by Granda's Lab. At the "Meet Dimple" installation at the Convento de S. António, 600 "Dimples by Beau" are suspended in a mirrored box. Each Dimple is a handblown glass pendant, with smooth mirrored curves that reflect the natural light. Each Dimple also contains an individually controlled LED light, synchronized to music so that the Dimples seem to shimmer and move to the music, as if alive. The mirrored box reflects the Dimples, giving a sensation as though suspended in an infinite, rippling, ocean of light.

The "Ring of Mist" installation, brings together music and lights and the participants are the generators of their own, unique experience. Within the "Ring of Mist", there are 8 doorways to enter. Each one evokes different sounds and lights. Participants enter the doors in any order they wish, creating their very own soundtrack and experience, with thousands of possible versions. The soundtrack can be downloaded and kept as a very unique memory.



Among the highlights of LUZA will be the Torch Light Parade on the 24th Nov.. Starting from the Mãe Soberana church, 2.000 lit fire torches will be carried by the festival attendees, culminating in a final design that will only be revealed at the end, transforming all those in the parade into artists for a shared moment. A donation of at least €1 per torch is required and reverts to a local children's charity - A Casa da Primeira Infância. The Torch Light Parade is also a shared link with the town of Loulé and it's traditions, reflecting the annual religious "Festival of the Soverign Mother", one of the largest religious festivals in Portugal.
On the 25th Nov. there will be a festival conference, in the style of relaxed chat show, at the Cine Teatro Louletano, entitled Working with Light, with the participation of various artists and actors.

LUZA Algarve International Festival of Light, 24th to 26th November 2017 in Loulé, is part of the "365 Algarve" cultural programme and is supported by the Loulé council.
See below the full programme and the locations of the various installations.
Participating artists: ByBeau Studio, Grandpa's Lab, musson+retallick, Boris Chimp 504, Felipe Mejías, KASJO STUDIO, PLEX NOIR, Foundry, Atsara, WHITEvoid


LUZA Algarve International Festival of Light Programme
24th November 2017
18h30 - Official opening of LUZA

18h30 â€“ â€œTorch Light Parade”
(To purchase your torches and take part in the parade, please meet at Mãe Soberana)

19h00 (every 45 minutes) - Video Mapping in the front of the Mercado Municipal

19h30 / 21h00 / 22h30 - Sand art at Igreja de São Francisco

00h00 - Presentation of the Christmas Tree of Loulé in the Fence of the Convento do Espírito Santo
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00h30 - Closure of the 1st day of LUZA

25th November 2017
10h00 - Opening of the interior installations,  Convento de Santo António and Cine-Teatro Louletano

15h00 â€“ 17h30 â€“ â€œWorking with Light” Conference at Cine-Teatro Louletano

18h30 - Opening of the remaining installations

19h00 (every 45 minutes) - Video Mapping the front of the Mercado Municipal

19h30 / 21h00 / 22h30 - Sand art at Igreja de São Francisco

00h30 - Closure of the 2nd day of LUZA

26th November 2017
10h00 - Opening of the interior installations,  Convento de Santo António and Cine-Teatro Louletano

18h30 - Opening of the remaining installations

19h00 (every 45 minutes) - Video Mapping the front of the Mercado Municipal
​
19h30 / 21h00 / 22h30 - Sand art at Igreja de São Francisco
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00h00 - Closure of LUZA

www.luzafestival.com