Other events in the City of Light
In addition to the City of Light event, other light-themed events are also organised during the dark period. Since 2019, a Christmas Light Land has been built in the Church Park, starting at the end of November. In 2020, the City of Light event, cancelled due to the pandemic, was replaced by Valoiloa (‘Joy of light’), in which various light installations were showcased around the city.
Christmas Light Land in the Church Park
The first Christmas Light Land in the Church Park in 2019 was a huge success. At the end of November, large five-metre reindeer and their sleighs arrive in the park with familiar light objects. A four-metre high LED fountain has been installed in the park since 2020. The Christmas atmosphere in the pedestrian precinct is also enhanced by the Christmas star hung above the Kompassi square.
Joy of Light installations in 2020
Ylistö Bridge
Flowers of Life –light art collective will carry out the “Atom” light installation, that will be suspended on the Ylistö bridge. The light installation is compatible with the dynamic lighting programmed on the bridge. The installation is provided by the City of Jyväskylä, together with the University of Jyväskylä.
Strike II
Juhana Moisander's temporary light installation “Strike II” can be seen on the facade of the old paper factory in the Kangas district. Strike II is a positional artwork that reminds of the factory building’s history. Human figures from the factory’s past can be seen in the three adjacent windows - the human figures look at the dwellers of this day from their windows and seek contact with them with their gestures. This light installation is provided by Kankaan Palvelu Oy together with Kiinteistö Oy Jyväskylän Kankaan VPT.
Taulumäki Church
An experimental and eventful test lighting of the 90-year-old Taulumäki Church facade. The aim is to light the Church in an interesting way and at the same time try-out the new lighting technique and new lighting possibilities.
Paviljonki
“Model of an Imaginary Structure” light installation by artist Jaakko Niemelä delights at the Paviljonki square. The light installation combines light, shadow and movement beautifully and casts a large living shadow to the Pavillion wall. The installation is provided by the City of Jyväskylä together with Jyväskylän Messut Oy.
Matkakeskus (Travel Centre)
Artist Iikka Hackman’s and photographic artist Niina Vehmas’s collaborated work Nytkumuuri2020 mural found within the Travel Centre will be temporarily illuminated. The Mosaic-like painting has been created in parts during 2020 and it forms a diary about the past year. The creators have involved the city residents in the making of the artwork in many ways. The artwork and its lighting are provided by the City of Jyväskylä, in collaboration with Trevian Suomi Kiinteistöt and Eskaro Oy.
Kauppakeskus Forum (Shopping Centre Forum)
Forum’s light-themed Forum <3 Valo ensemble (November 23–28.) holds various interesting attractions, like Lumen Est Omen photographic exhibition, Lamp fleamarket and lighting exhibition, as well as the magnificently colourful Kosmos Ball lighting art installation and Labyrinth of Love installation by Riikka Partanen. The Joy of Light can be seen in various forms in Forum.
Bringing the “Joy of Light” to housing units!
City of Light together with the Culture and inclusion services have organized performance art outside of seven different housing units while considering the prevailing pandemic situation so that the residents can safely enjoy art.