«Northern Lights»
Interactive public art

Interactive Winter Light Installation

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Northern Lights is a contemporary interactive light installation inspired by one of nature’s most captivating phenomena — the aurora borealis.

The project takes the form of a flowing wave composed of illuminated vertical polycarbonate tubes arranged directly within public space. Visitors can walk around the installation, experience it from different perspectives, and interact with it through touch.

Soft transitions of blue, turquoise, white, violet, and pink light create the impression of a living luminous landscape. In its ambient mode, light slowly travels through the structure, recreating the fluid movement of the northern sky.

Rather than functioning as a traditional decorative object, Northern Lights transforms its surroundings into an immersive winter environment where light becomes a dynamic and interactive medium.

CORE CONCEPT

Northern Lights is designed to transform public space into a contemporary interactive art experience.

In its standard operating mode, the installation continuously displays flowing light sequences inspired by the natural movement of the aurora. Waves of color travel throughout the composition, creating the illusion that the northern lights are moving inside the structure itself.

Human interaction introduces a second layer to the experience. When a visitor touches one of the illuminated tubes, the installation immediately responds with a personalized light reaction. Color spreads from the point of contact upward, downward, and into neighboring elements, creating the sensation that the visitor has released their own wave of aurora into the environment.

As a result, the installation becomes a responsive public artwork that actively engages with its audience.

VISUAL DESIGN

The installation consists of illuminated vertical tubes of varying heights arranged along a smooth wave-shaped path. The changing heights create the silhouette of a frozen light wave rising from the ground.

The tubes are manufactured from matte light-diffusing polycarbonate, producing a soft, evenly distributed glow. The material gives the installation a clean and elegant appearance while allowing light to remain visible and volumetric throughout the structure.

During the day, Northern Lights resembles a translucent ice formation integrated into the landscape. At night, it transforms into a vibrant illuminated landmark that becomes a focal point within the surrounding environment.

The lower portion of the installation is framed by a sculptural structure fabricated from AISI 304 stainless steel. This framework reinforces the wave geometry, protects the installation, and contributes to its premium contemporary appearance.

Polished or satin-finished metal surfaces reflect light from the tubes, snow, and surrounding architecture, amplifying the visual impact of the artwork.

INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE

Northern Lights operates through two primary modes.

Continuous Light Show

In its ambient mode, the installation continuously performs lighting sequences inspired by the aurora borealis.

These scenes may include:

• turquoise and blue transitions;
• violet and pink light waves;
• cold white glacial illumination;
• smooth light pulses traveling throughout the composition;
• a breathing aurora effect;
• alternating calm and dynamic lighting sequences.

This mode remains active at all times, ensuring that the installation remains visually engaging even when visitors are not interacting with it.

Touch Response

When a visitor touches one of the illuminated tubes, the installation generates a unique response at the exact point of contact.

Possible effects include:

• a light pulse radiating from the touch point;
• localized color transformation;
• color traveling upward through the tube like a stream of energy;
• neighboring tubes gradually joining the wave;
• multiple simultaneous interactions producing intersecting and blended light patterns;
• a smooth return to the ambient aurora mode once the interaction is complete.

This interactive system allows every visitor to create their own unique light wave and become part of the overall performance.

EMOTIONAL IMPACT

The true value of Northern Lights lies in the sense of personal connection it creates between people and the installation.

Visitors do not simply observe a light composition—they actively influence it. A single touch changes the behavior of the light, creating a feeling of wonder, warmth, and immediate response.

For children, the installation becomes an intuitive and engaging game.

For adults, it creates memorable emotional moments and highly photogenic experiences.

For cities, parks, waterfronts, plazas, and commercial destinations, Northern Lights serves as a powerful attraction that captures attention, encourages participation, and inspires visitors to create and share content across social media.

More than a lighting installation, Northern Lights becomes a place where people gather, interact, and experience public space in a completely new way.