Laser light show to light up Brighton skies

The Brighton skyline is to host an interactive laser show on Thursday, October 1.
Seb Lee-Delisle pic by Nico TurnerSeb Lee-Delisle pic by Nico Turner
Seb Lee-Delisle pic by Nico Turner

BAFTA award-winning artist Seb Lee-Delisle is running a one-off interactive art installation, Laser Light City, from three outdoor locations in Brighton & Hove.

From 7.30pm to 11pm members of the public will be able to control high-powered lasers roaming across the city skyline, playing with colours and patterns from their smartphone. Positioned on Sussex Heights, Tower Point and Seven Dials, the sky lasers will be seen from more than 5km away as long as the weather conditions are good. The night looks set to be popular with more than 4,400 people having already registered their interest in taking part on the Laser Light City Facebook page.

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Seb said: “Community events have become so few and far between because of coronavirus. Brighton has always championed the arts and their power to lift people’s spirits, and I wanted to do something in my home town that enables people to express their creativity in a unique and playful way. The idea was to do something fun and beautiful which we all create together. It’s also naturally suited to social distancing because all you have to do is look up.

“Members of the public can take turns controlling the colour and movement of the lasers via an interactive website. People can participate from the comfort of their home or anywhere in the city.”

The project received funding from Arts Council England, but has otherwise been financed by the artist. Seb lives locally, and recently projected thank you messages on Sussex Heights and the i360 for NHS workers as part of Clap for our Carers.

“When else in your life would you have full control of huge and dangerous sky lasers using your phone?” Seb added. “I hope that this is something people of all ages can get involved with, and a memorable experience for everyone.”

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Local businesses have been keen to support the night, including radio station Platform B, which will be curating a soundtrack for Laser Light City as part of the station's 2nd anniversary celebrations. Same Sky, the team behind Burning the Clocks, is also offering their support alongside Metronet, and PLATF9RM co-working space, which offered their roof on Tower Point as one of the laser locations.

Access to the Laser Light City app will be made available on the evening of October 1. For more information and event updates, please visit the Laser Light City Facebook page. All the necessary notifications have been submitted to the CAA to protect aircraft.

Seb Lee-Delisle is a digital artist and speaker who specialises in large scale interactive light installations.

His work is a celebration of technology that encourages interaction and playfulness from the public. Drawing on his previous experience as a game programmer, he works with electronics, lasers and high power projectors to bring his artworks to life. Notable projects include Laser Light Synths, super-bright bespoke synthesisers with laser visuals for the public to play, and PixelPyros, the Arts Council funded digital fireworks display that toured nationwide in 2013.

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