GLOW Light Festival 2020: Connecting the Dots with 1,000 LEDs and 20,000 Children
The GLOW Light Festival in Eindhoven, Netherlands, was cancelled in 2020 due to pandemic restrictions, but the city launched a special installation titled "Connecting the Dots" as a symbol of unity. The installation consists of three elements: a blue dome by Finnish artist Kari Kola projecting light over the city, representing the purity of the sky and nature; a sea of ethereal red dots by Dutch light designer Ivo Schoofs, made of 1,000 fully recyclable balloon-shaped LEDs symbolizing closeness and togetherness; and 20,000 "GLOWdots" created by elementary school children inspired by Dutch designer Hugo Vrijdag, hung in classroom windows. The installation is visible from home windows or via livestream on the festival website. Mayor John Jorritsma emphasized the importance of feeling united during lockdown. Kola is known for large-scale light works, including illuminating the Pullman Hotel in Eindhoven during GLOW 2018. Schoofs has created several world-famous light installations for GLOW, such as "Large Fire Tornado" in 2015. The festival normally attracts about 750,000 visitors annually.
Key facts
- GLOW Light Festival 2020 was cancelled due to pandemic restrictions.
- Installation 'Connecting the Dots' features a blue dome by Kari Kola.
- Ivo Schoofs contributed 1,000 recyclable red LED balloons.
- 20,000 schoolchildren created 'GLOWdots' under Hugo Vrijdag's inspiration.
- Installation visible from home or via livestream on festival website.
- Mayor John Jorritsma called for unity during lockdown.
- Kari Kola previously illuminated Pullman Hotel during GLOW 2018.
- Ivo Schoofs created 'Large Fire Tornado' for GLOW 2015.
- Festival normally attracts about 750,000 visitors annually.
Entities
Artists
- Kari Kola
- Ivo Schoofs
- Hugo Vrijdag
- Niccolò Lucarelli
Institutions
- GLOW Light Festival
- Artribune
- Pullman Hotel
Locations
- Eindhoven
- Netherlands
- Finland