A HUDDERSFIELD landmark was illuminated last night as the town prepares for the Festival of Light, which starts today.
Motorists witnessed the lighting up of the Media Centre’s iconic building on the ring road yesterday evening.
And organisers of this year’s Festival of Light said yesterday that the show will go on, despite the heavy snow.
Lighting designer James Bawn rigged up 84 fixtures at the Media Centre to provide a multi-coloured display of patterns and swirls.
“I hope this helped people see the building in a different way,” he said.
James, who grew up in Meltham, spent yesterday and Tuesday rigging up the Media Centre.
He said: “The building is twin-skinned, meaning there is a void between the outer and inner shells.
“I used the five gantries in the building to fit the lights.”
James, 29, and his team of three rigged up light fixtures to every other window pane in the building and then used video technology to create swirling patterns.
James, who works for Leeds-based A C Entertainment, added: “I’ve lit numerous buildings but never using this kind of equipment. This one was a little bit special.”
James was asked to illuminate the Media Centre to launch this year’s Festival of Light.
Kirklees Council confirmed yesterday afternoon that all events would go ahead despite the bad weather.
The show gets under way at 4pm today with a special illumination of Byram Arcade.
At the same time, a vacant shop at John William Street will host the Huddersfield premiere of Urban Echo, an interactive projection which allows people to interact with it using text messages and voicemails.
There is a packed festival programme tomorrow, including a light display by Impossible Theatre at St Peter’s Gardens.
And Belgian company Theater Tol will perform their show Corazon de Angeles, featuring aerial displays, at St George’s Square from 7.30pm.
The hour-long performance will be repeated at the same time on Saturday evening.
The festival will conclude on Sunday with a firework display at St George’s Square.
There will also be fringe events at pubs and clubs in the town centre.
For a full programme visit www.kirklees.gov.uk/festival/index.shtml
