Illuminating Oxford: Illuminating The Museum, 2018
Step into the magic of Oxford as Luxmuralis, in collaboration with various institutions, transformed the city into a radiant canvas of light in 2018. Following the success of 2017's Lost and Found, Luxmuralis worked closely with the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, the Pitt Rivers Museum, the University Church of St Mary the Virgin, the Bodleian Libraries, and the Museum of the History of Science to bring more collections than ever into the spotlight.
Sculptor Peter Walker and local composer David Harper joined forces with staff and curators from these institutions, unveiling hidden treasures from gardens, libraries, and museums through three spectacular son et lumière shows.
November 16, 2018 - Luxmuralis Son et Lumière: Hidden
Location: Front facade of the Oxford University Museum of Natural History.On this magical evening, Luxmuralis collaborated with Multaka:Oxford to identify significant artifacts within the collections. Passers-by were drawn into engaging stories and histories that had long remained hidden. Luxmuralis's mesmerising display brought museum collections to life, offering a unique, free, and accessible encounter for everyone on the street.
November 17, 2018 - Luxmuralis Son et Lumière: Imagine Peace
Location: Inside the University Church of St Mary the Virgin.
As the world commemorated the centenary of the end of the First World War, Luxmuralis created a reflective space inside the Church. Inspired by the art of peacemaking in the modern world, the projections in this historic space inspired hope, revealed hidden stories, and brought people together.
November 18, 2018 - Luxmuralis Son et Lumière: Talking Maps
Location: Bodleian Libraries Old School Quadrangle.
Concluding the Christmas Light Festival in Oxford, Talking Maps showcased the Special Collection materials of the Bodleian, projected onto the library’s historic buildings. The display revolved around ideas of identity, journeys, and the movement of people, promising an unmissable experience.
Watch the installations here, here, here and here.
Illuminating the Museum 2018, is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
Overview:
Starting in 2015, each year as part of Oxford’s Light Festival, Fusion Arts works with artist collective Luxmuralis alongside an ever-increasing consortium of institutional partners (now Oxford University Museum of Natural History, Pitt Rivers Museum, the Bodleian Libraries / Radcliffe Camera, University Church of St Mary the Virgin and the Museum, the History of Science Museum) and numerous community groups (including Multaka-Oxford, Oxford’s Windrush communities and LGBTQ+ groups) to produce a series of inspiring son et lumière displays; light and sound spectacles that illuminate the outside of some of Oxford's most iconic buildings and bring community stories and the partner institutions' collections to life. These shows are free and accessible to all.
The project seeks to literally illuminate the museums’ collections and archives for the public to admire, bringing hidden collections into the public domain in the form of colourful light designs projected onto the museum's facades. In preparation for the events, Luxmuralis has worked closely with Multaka-Oxford to identify what parts of the hidden collections to choose and determine which were of greatest significance to them. The objects chosen were brought to life through the light show, prompting the viewers to consider the modern and historical research concerns they raise.
Other works by Luxmuralis include: Poppy Field which toured Cathedrals around the UK; Lichtfestival in Limburg Germany; Earth What a Wonderful World, Lichfield Cathedral; The Maker of Middle Earth, Bodleian Libraries. Their portfolio, which includes a plethora of other light and sound events across the UK and abroad can be found here.
