Lumen aims to light up the city with art and technology
(Waterloo, Ont. – Sept. 20, 2018) – The City of Waterloo invites community members to celebrate uptown Waterloo at our newest festival, Lumen, a celebration of light, art, and technology.
Taking place throughout out uptown with 25+ locations including Waterloo Park, Waterloo Public Square, Waterloo Public Library, Button Factory Arts, Centre for International Governance Innovation, and Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery, Lumen will run from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on September 29.
Lumen includes a headline performance from the internationally celebrated DJ, Kid Koala and his Satellite Turntable Orchestra project. Here, audience members are invited to DJ alongside Kid Koala to create an ambient vinyl orchestra. “I wanted to create an interactive vinyl record experience for the audience,” says Eric San, otherwise known as Kid Koala. “Often when I'm in the studio I need to layer several separate turntable takes to create and complete the harmonies. Some of these tracks I would not be able to play live without having 20 turntables and just as many arms! With the help of the audience at their turntable stations, we can all play together and create these tracks live.”
The festival also offers installations, performances, and community art from local artists and community partners. “This festival is a partnership between a diverse and accomplished group of artistic organizations in the region and a celebration of the amazing artistic talent in our community,” says Justin McFadden, executive director of economic development at the City of Waterloo. Strong partnerships also include support from presenting sponsor, HIP Developments. “We are proud to be part of such a great event. For one special evening, Lumen will light up Waterloo’s creative imaginations, and that is something HIP strongly believes in,” says President, Scott Higgins.
Other installations from notable artists include a video installation from City of Waterloo artist in residence St Marie φ Walker. Titled 43.4677° N, 80.5277° W, this piece concludes the four month residency program with the city and pays homage to Waterloo Park. Visual artist, Allie Brenner, will premier her Waterloo specific piece, Housenumber_street.jpg. And artists like Amanda Garbe invites community members to contribute to her work, Forest of Dreams, by adding their own text to her community art installation. Additionally, Kazoo! Fest out of Guelph brings together a stellar line-up of artist to play in Waterloo Public Square.
For a full listing of the program, please visit waterloo.ca/lumen
City of Waterloo thanks the sponsors who have made this festival happen through their generous support of Lumen including: HIP Developments, Strata, Launch Waterloo, CanFirst Capital Management, Lexington Park, Factory Square Campus, Shopify, Goodbye Graffiti, Sherwood Music, UpTown Waterloo Business Improvement Area, and The Event Firm Inc.
Media contacts:
Shelly Reed
Communications specialist
519-747-8515
shelly.reed@waterloo.ca
Sonya Poweska
Culture program specialist
519-747-8769
TTY: 1-866-786-3941
sonya.poweska@waterloo.ca