Light in Jerusalem

Photo Credit: Mario Gonzales/BFP Light artists from Israel and other nations transformed the Old City of Jerusalem with their creations for 10 nights in June. In the words of the show’s sponsor, the Jerusalem Development Authority, “We invite you to stroll along illuminated paths and take part in this very special festival that combines the enchanted Old City ambience with innovative and challenging artworks.”

Cuckoo ClockPhoto credit: Mario Gonzales/BFP Visitors could chose between four different trails, each with its own color and theme. The White Route began at the entrance to Jaffa Gate where “The Garden of Dreams,” a towering structure with LED lamps, arranged to appear as beautiful roses and daisies, welcomed the festival-goers. At the next stop, the façade of the Christian Information Center displayed a fascinating video projection of a giant cuckoo clock. The inner workings of the clock were visible to the audience and the cuckoo emerged every minute to make sure everyone knew exactly what time it was.

Photo credit: martar/shutterstock.com At Hurva Square, famous Israeli light artist, Jean David, built a “House of Cards.” Depicted on the cards were key biblical figures, making this a unique piece of light art, designed specifically for its location in the heart of Jerusalem’s Old City.

Cosmogole – sound and light orchestra Photo credit: Mario Gonzales/BFP Some exhibits were interactive, such as the “Cosmogole,” which joined sound and light to create “an incandescent orchestra composed of a 3 meter (9.8 ft) high central sphere and 60 luminous globes of different diameters and heights arranged in concentric circles.” Visitors were invited to take a seat and enjoy a concert of light and music.

In addition to the 3-D pieces, artists used the ancient walls of the Old City as a backdrop for video projections such as the “Fish Pond,” an illusion showing water trickling out of the wall, flowing toward a pond teeming with fish. Or viewers could remember the nation of Israel’s history as they watched “By the Rivers of Babylon” which told the story of King Hezekiah’s wall, its destruction and the subsequent Babylonian exile.

For the first time, students from the Industrial Design Department of Israel’s prestigious Bezalel Academy of Arts displayed light art they had created as part of their course work. On the Green Route, which followed the walls of the Old City from Jaffa Gate to Damascus Gate, the “Illuminated Sculptures Garden” invited visitors to “become enveloped in the mystery of light and darkness” as they viewed dancers in glowing costumes.

The light festival is a free, family-oriented, annual event that is enjoyed by the city’s residents and tourists alike. Organizers estimate that 250,000 visitors attended the 2014 extravaganza, the sixth Jerusalem Light Festival since its inception in 2009.