First River of Light installations revealed

The first four artworks being showcased during this year’s River of Light have been revealed.

The 2023 event, which is expected to attract tens of thousands of visitors to Liverpool’s city centre and waterfront, runs from October 27 to November 5 and has the theme United by Light – referencing the city’s Eurovision ‘United by Music’ strapline from earlier this year.

Illuminated installations will be on show along a 1.2 mile/2km route through the business district and along the River Mersey.

They include Emergence, from globally acclaimed artists This is Loop, which encourages visitors to explore a 10ft by 32ft pavilion comprised of mirrors and 10,000 LED lights and accompanied by a soundscape.

French artistic studio TILT has created Lampshades Bouquet. Expect gigantic outdoor versions of a household lamp which will light up in a variety of colours, with a bench at the base of each to sit and enjoy the experience.

And there will be a premiere for Elysian and Elysian Arcs, two installations from Sydney-based design studio Atelier Sisu.

A giant inflatable creation will allow people to walk around and through it as colour reacts to light and form, while Liverpool-based award-winning composer John McHugh has been chosen by Atelier Sisu to produce a new soundscape for both the Elysian art works.

Above: River of Light in 2022. Top: Emergence. Photo by Anne Koerber

Atelier Sisu artistic directors, Zara Parsfield and Renzo B Larriviere, said: “We’re very excited to be returning for River of Light in 2023.

"We can’t wait to bring our work to the beautiful city of Liverpool alongside a talented line up of local, national and international artists. “The city is such a wonderful location for the work, and we hope that we can bring a spark of joy to Liverpool this autumn.”

And John McHugh added: "It's an honour for me to be working with Culture Liverpool and international artists Atelier Sisu on River of Light 2023.

“As a proud Liverpool composer, I've created a lot of work that reflects the voice of the city and this project gives me the opportunity to work on a large outdoor installation that will be experienced by thousands of people."

Last year’s event attracted an estimated 250,000 people over 10 days.

River of Light runs from October 27 to November 5. More installations are yet to be announced.