Illuminating sphere to come to Bournemouth town centre

This is what residents in Bournemouth should expect to come to the town centre this autumn as the annual Arts by the Sea festival makes its return. 

Three dazzling displays have already been confirmed, including Evanescent, Twist and Shine and Light Arts Creative. 

But a planning application has also been submitted to install an 18-foot honeycomb on Bournemouth beach called The Honeypot. 

Evanescent (Image: Atelier Sisu)

This year’s theme is ‘taste’ - organisers have said this is shown through its “eclectic array of artworks transforming the town into a glowing creative hub”. 

Evanescent is described as an “immersive, light and sound temporary environment in the form of giant iridescent bubbles”. 

Peruvian sculptor and industrial designer Renzo B Larriviere, who helped make it, said: “Evanescent is a very playful piece and one that was created to explore the idea of transience through the visualisation of bubbles.  

“We want the visitors to Arts by the Sea to feel a sense of child-like wonder as they explore amongst the sculpture's parts.” 

Meanwhile, Twist and Shine is the work of south west-based Katie Keeler and Jocelyn Mills and is immersive and interactive. 

Kaleider's Twist and Shine (Image: Kaleider)

Katie said: “Twist and Shine is completely interactive and so appeals to everyone, from children learning to express their creativity to art lovers who want to add their own touch to the festival.  

“Every time someone interacts with and alters the sculpture, they create a new starting point for the next person to work from." 

And Light Art Creatives specialises in light to transform static objects, buildings, aircraft and much more, into living, transformational and awe-inspiring displays. 

This year’s display is by Rebecca Strickson and she will be installing a light projection onto the Upside Down House by the Pavilion. 

Julian Dorrell, director at Light Art Creatives, said: “Rebecca’s artwork translates beautifully into light projections, with its vibrancy and beautiful use of colour.  

“The Upside Down House is such an iconic building in Bournemouth and so the perfect place to transform into a magical artist masterpiece that is sure to delight visitors to the festival.” 

Andrea Francis, festival director at Arts by the Sea, said: “Visitors to the festival can expect to see a huge array of different types of art and become their own art critique, and we’re delighted with the light-based installations that will be seen for 2024. 

“We want to invite everyone to come and sample the different art forms, to test out their own creativity, discuss what they like and dislike in art, and to rethink their own tastes, as they explore a new, luminous world of creativity from our brilliant artists.”  

The 14th Arts by the Sea festival will return from Friday, September 27 to Sunday, September 29.