Lower Manhattan is Illuminated in a Whole New Way
Tonight and tomorrow, Lower Manhattan nights with be a bit brighter thanks to Illumination NYC, a nonprofit arts organization that produces public art installations with a light touch. Now in its third year, the group orchestrates temporary light sculptures, exhibits, and performances that come alive after the sun goes down.
A pair of Lower Manhattan venues will host the group’s Illumination Spring Showcase 2024 from 7:30pm to 11pm both nights: the exterior facade of the World Trade Center Oculus and Belvedere Plaza (the waterfront space between North Cove and the Brookfield ferry terminal in Battery Park City).
Urban-Flourish-lightshow image
At the Oculus, “Urban Flourish” by digital artist Robert Montengero will transform the exterior of the swooping architecture into a riot of moving color and image using projection mapping, a form of “spatial augmented reality” that turns irregularly shaped objects into display surfaces.
On Belvedere Plaza, a menagerie of faux-robots and pixies will prance before your eyes, festooned with multicolored LEDs, backlit by computer-controlled display panels. Amid the plaza’s trees, look for large-scale installations, light sculptures, immersive experiences with lights and sensors, performances, and DJs spinning dance music.
Admission and headphones are free, but advance registration is strongly recommended. For more information or to reserve complimentary tickets, click here.