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London's West End to be illuminated by Lumiere

Among other spaces across the capital the upcoming light festival will take over London’s theatreland

This week sees the beginning of Lumiere, an immersive interactive light and sound installation taking place across the capital.

As part of the five days of the festival, London's West End will play host to the event, with buildings becoming home to huge projections and illuminated art works. Above you can see a taster of what is to come, with Tracey Emin's artwork Be Faithful to Your Dreams up in St James' Churchyard Picadilly, Aquariam, an iconic red telephone box transformed into a home for fish, popping up on Earlham Street, Seven Dials and Nightlife illuminating Leicester Square Gardens.

The pieces have been produced by arts charity Artichoke and commissioned by the Mayor of London and all the events are free to attend. Lumiere returns following its first arrival in 2016 and also takes place in Mayfair, Fitzrovia, Westminster and Victoria, the South Bank and Waterloo.

Th​e Umbrella Project​ by Cirque Bijou (UK), Mayfair, Regent Street, Piccadilly,
Fitzrovia and Victoria
Th​e Umbrella Project​ by Cirque Bijou (UK), Mayfair, Regent Street, Piccadilly,
Fitzrovia and Victoria
© A.Pattenden/ Courtesy of Artichoke and the artists

The pieces also include choreographed work Umbrella Project by Cirque Bijou, which uses LED umbrellas and will take place in Mayfair, Regent Street, Piccadilly, Fitzrovia and Victoria. A special rehearsal performance will take place at Bloomberg Arcade on Wednesday 17 January.

Child Hood ​by Collectif Coin (France), Trafalgar Square
Child Hood ​by Collectif Coin (France), Trafalgar Square
© Courtesy of Artichoke and the artists

Rambert Dance Company's building will also be involved, with artist David Ward illuminating the building with images of the company's dancers. Light on Their Feet features photographs of the bottom of the dancers' feet. In front of the National Theatre, Vertigo's The Wave consists of forty triangular, glowing sound gates which create a path over 80 metres long. The experience changes according to how the audience interacts with it.

Lumiere takes place across London daily from 5.30pm to 10.30pm from 18 to 21 January. For more information head to www.lumiere-festival.com.