Lux Helsinki happens once in a year. At some of the longest nights, colorful lights come to the city center. Festival showcases multiple light artworks from local and international artists.
This post is a photo story. I will walk you though Lux Helsinki 2020. I will show you all of the installations and well as tell my opinion about the Festival. Let’s dive in.
Lux Helsinki: When, Where, How
When? Lux Festival takes place in the first half of January. At this time, nights are very long. It is dark for around 17-18 hours. The lights are on as soon as the sun sets, which is around 5 PM.
Where? Usually (in previous festivals), the route starts at Senate Square. It goes further around the city center and sometimes expands into a nearby district. The one in 2020 was partially in Hakaniemi.
How? Maps that show all the artworks are available on the Lux Helsinki website. I actually never looked at the map, there are signs everywhere along the route… or just follow the people (such crowds are rare in Helsinki, so you will know where to go)
What do I think about Lux Helsinki?
Well, first of all, admission is free. So, I guess I shouldn’t complain much. Nevertheless, with my obsession with light artworks, I have to compare it to others.
Lux Helsinki is probably less than 1/10 of what Rammstein makes on their shows. The projections onto Helsinki Cathedral are pretty cool, but I saw larger ones (in St. Petersburg for instance).
So far, my favorite light installation is in Duisburg Nord, at an old steel plant. It is way larger and works at night (Lux Helsinki closes at 10 PM).
Overall, I don’t think I will visit Finland or Helsinki to see the festival. But if you live or stay in Helsinki, it is a cool thing to see. The festival is always growing, so I expect it to be more impressive in the following years.
Lux Helsinki 2020 walkthrough
The festival starts at Senate Square, where large-scale projectors illuminate the facade of the Helsinki Cathedral and put different images on it. All other lights are off to make the cathedral stand out.
I think that was my favorite image projected
The next one is a corridor with strings hanging from the ceiling. You can go through it very slowly.
At the start
And… the line to get there is pretty long (long in Helsinki terms).
Let’s move on. This one is pretty cool! It looks a bit eery, combined with the sounds. There is a 3D-looking heart, tree shadows are projected onto the walls.
The next one… is just a lot of different lamps, Lux Helsinki website tells there are 400. They are designed by children, students, and artists. Not sure if it is really that impressive…
This is my favorite one, the fire is swirling! It is called “fire-tornado” and is accompanied by music.
The next one is just a reflection, which is only visible when water is calm.
Then we have a large screen. When you touch it – tiny stars appear. Pretty interesting, but why do they show some weird cartoonish psychedelic stuff on the screen?
And the last one highlights the Helsinki Theater. It shows night and day.
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