In Paris, the Parc de la Villette lights up for the holidays with the “Lumières! “. It offers a route punctuated by varied illuminations, sometimes even participatory. Their common point: they all consume little energy. Some even invite us to reflect on our electricity production…
A field of fireflies accompanied by almost mystical music or even a huge red structure shining with a thousand lights thanks to a disco ball… At La Villette, eight luminous works are scattered along a one-kilometre signposted route. Even the canal that crosses the park is invested with sparkling geometric shapes.
Pierre Schneider is the founder of the 1024 Architecture group, which produced this work called “Constellations”: “ It is an installation that uses the surface of the Ourcq canal as a kind of mirror that would show an imaginary stellar constellation. This is only possible because laser projectors are used, which are powerful enough in terms of visual and light output to be seen on the surface of the water. If we did a simple video projection, it would be almost invisible. »
Lasers which, in addition, have the advantage of consuming little… It was a prerequisite for being part of the course, according to Raffaella Benanti, project manager at La Villette, who contributed to the organization of “Lumières! “.
” We are all aware of the historic situation we are experiencing. In any case, we have decided to be very careful with everything that is consumed in electricity. These works are all made with very low consumption materials, LEDs or lasers. We asked ourselves a lot about these questions, but for us it was very important to propose this event this year, because it is also true that it is a difficult year, that purchasing power is in the process of to lower, and a free demonstration, in the open air, at that time, we said to ourselves that it was really something important “, she explains.
Light, sound and participatory works
Walkers seem conquered by these luminous works. Especially by those that are participatory, like “Singing Light”. This tree with multicolored garlands, which produces melodious sounds, is intriguing.
” It’s about singing in tune, and a little intensely, to illuminate the tree with a thousand lights. »
Pierre Froment, founder of the LAPS group, specialist in interactive light works, explains: “ Each microphone has its own color. One color rather orange-red, another rather blue, the other rather mauve… And these colors can be combined together to illuminate the tree to its top “.
And he does not hesitate to match the action to the word: What we hear is going to be a voice in fact, it’s going to be the tonal analysis of the voice, so that it remains harmonious. Because otherwise people shout, and then we hear amplified shouts, and it’s not very pleasant “.
Further on, somewhat on the same model, a 100% human energy tree invites you to pedal on bicycles to illuminate it. How Christmas magic and sobriety can coexist.