Rainbow laser projection lights up city festival
A team of artists have worked to create the large-scale projections along with light installations and dance performances for We Shine Portsmouth.
A rainbow in the dark is the centrepiece of a three-day light festival showing across the seaside city of Portsmouth.
A team of artists have worked together to create the large-scale projections along with light installations and dance performances across the Hampshire city during the We Shine Portsmouth event.
The rainbow, made using lightly sprayed water and laser projections, has been created in Victoria Park along with projections of dancing feather dervishes and fireflies in the trees.
A spokeswoman for the We Shine Portsmouth project said of the Rainbow in the Dark, created by artist Benjamin Clegg and the Mandala Collective: “The two light sources blend into one hypnotic form that is held on a water screen and hangs in the air in a 3D space with smoke, ever drifting and tumbling.
“The effect is an immersive, playful and joyful experience that never ceases to amaze and bring a moment of magic to people who interact with it. Every location brings out a different perspective to this piece, that almost has a life of its own.
“An ever-changing kaleidoscope of colour is created within a frame of full spectrum laser light.”
Portsmouth has also launched the country’s first zebra crossing with LED panels in the road surface which light up to make it more visible to drivers.
Councillor Lynne Stagg, Portsmouth City Council’s cabinet member for traffic and transportation, said: “We’re always looking for new ways to improve road safety and I’m delighted we’re the first place in the UK to use this innovative new technology.
“We chose this crossing because it’s very busy particularly at night with all the bars and restaurants – we want to make the crossing more visible and encourage more people to cross there safely.”
