Lighting experts and creative commissioners from the UK, Ireland and US will be among the delegates at a two day conference in Chester examining how light can add to the heritage and regeneration of different locations.
The conference on March 25 and 26 is jointly organised by Cheshire West and Chester Council and the University of Chester.
Keynote speakers will include Herve Descottes (founder of lighting design consultancy ‘L’Observatoire and 2012 Lumen Award winner for work on New York's High Line), Shona McCarthy (chief executive of Derry-Londonderry City of Culture 2013) and Nayan Kulkarni (artist, co-winner of a Corus Structural Steel Award in 2009).
Nayan was involved in the well received light installation on St John’s Church ruins in which words from medieval Chester are displayed at night.
The conference, examining the contemporary uses of light in urban regeneration and heritage contexts, will be held at the Grosvenor Museum and the University’s Riverside Innovation Centre, Chester.
Cllr Stuart Parker, executive member for culture and economy, who is opening the conference, said: “It is extremely pleasing that delegates are coming from all over the UK, as well as Ireland and America.
“The conference will explore how lighting, heritage and art can work together to provide 21st century solutions.
“This will certainly be of interest to artists, lighting professionals and people in the public and private sector.”
Dr Simon Grennan, from the University of Chester’s art and design department and one of the event co-ordinators, said: “It is great that the university is collaborating with the council on this event.
“There are some really creative and innovative planners and artists taking part – we hope as many people as possible can come along.”
Cllr Carolyn Graham, the council's design champion who will be attending the conference, said: “I am sure that delegates will be able to find lighting solutions which they can incorporate either in this country or abroad.
“Having delegates travelling to Chester from as far away as the USA shows the importance of the two day conference.”
