Light events show Tampere in a new light

22.11.2011 13:06

The traditional light displays in the Tampere city centre will be accompanied by several new light events as the evening sky darkens. At the darkest time of the year you can see the city in a whole new light, thanks to the brightening effects of the Valovoimainen Pirkanmaa ('Brilliant Pirkanmaa') project.

The Hämeenpuisto, Market Hall, Christmas Market, Tammerkoski and Pyynikki areas will each have a turn to play host to the light installations. The different sites will create a ribbon of light. The lights will shine at one site for 1 to 2 weeks at a time in the evenings, after which they will move on to the next. The chain of events will continue into the new year, ending on 8 January.

The first site, Hämeenpuisto, has been illuminated by lighting designer Roope Siiroinen. His piece Hehku ('glow') brings light, life and warmth to the grey November environment, which is a challenge for light. The glowing corridor, lit with warm light, and the interspersed spots lit with cool light give life to the area and bring it together. The spot-lit park benches beckon people to come and be a part of the installation.

In the beginning of December the spotlight will be on the Market Hall, where an installation by Timo Alhanen and Jaakko Kiukkanen will create a nostalgic marketplace atmosphere. Next, the light will travel from the Market Hall to the Christmas Market, whose installation was designed by Timo "Gain" Kainulainen and Tommi Stolt.

In store for the turn of the year is an installation on the shores of the Tammerkoski, which will tell a three-minute light story every half hour. The installation was designed by Roope Siiroinen and Katja Muttilainen. The installation accentuates the power of the rapids and brings the factory landscape to life.

The last installation in the event, on display from 2 through 8 January, was designed by students of visual art and communications at the Tampere University of Applied Sciences. In this work, the Pyynikki observation tower will be clothed with light. The technical aspects of all sites will be handled by Eastway Sound & Lighting Oy.

According to project manager Markus Joonas, the retreat of incandescent lamps from the market has led to thoughts about the future of the light city’s light displays. It is unlikely that the popular light displays will be removed completely, although their technical execution will need to be modified. Joonas would like city residents to provide their thoughts about adding some installations such as the ones in this event alongside the traditional light displays in the city.

"We would like to encourage discussion and hear people’s opinions about the light events. Based on the feedback we receive we will make a plan outlining the contents of future Tampere Illuminations events," says Joonas.

The Valovoimainen Pirkanmaa project would like to draw attention to the power of light. In the project, the dark time of year is a target for development and light creates the attraction. The project also brings together industry players. A comprehensive lighting plan will be drawn up for Tampere and its neighbouring municipalities, detailing models for functional and beautiful use of light.

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