Llum BCN reaches new horizons, branching into scenography, photography, and dance

Llum Barcelona returns this February for a new edition that will branch into new horizons, incorporating scenography, photography, and dance. 

The Poblenou light festival celebrates its 14th edition this year and continues to grow into new disciplines with new partnerships and collaborations with artists and multinational entities. 

Film director Isaki Lacuesta, fresh from winning three Gaudí Awards on Sunday night for his latest work Saturn Return, is among the list of artists collaborating with this year's Llum festival, as well as photographer and digital artist Joan Fontcuberta, and scenographer and light artist Laura Clos 'Closca'. 

In total there will be more than 30 light installations available to visit from February 7-9 this year in an expanded timetable, with the lights staying on from 7 pm until 1 am on Friday and Saturday, and from 7-11 pm on the Sunday. 

Most of the installations this year are placed outdoors, with the intention of building an open and free festival that as many people as possible can enjoy. 

Llum BCN brings together visual artists with international standing, innovative and emerging collectives, as well as art, design, and architecture students to create as dynamic a festival as possible under the creative guidance of Maria Güell and international curator Martin Pošta.

Professional collaboration

The festival also strengthens its connection with professionals this year with Llum Pro, a section of the artistic festival with several networking activities.

Llum BCN 2025 will also connect emerging creators with major international agents in the field, such as the ISE audiovisual tech fair taking place in Barcelona in the same week, February 4-7, and Yamaha. 

Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) is one of the main sponsors of the Llum BCN festival and will have a prominent presence in several artistic installations, such as Gènesi.IA by artist Joan Fontcuberta, a work commissioned by ISE that transforms the DHub façade into a large-format light show.

In addition, ISE is presenting an exclusive piece by artist Alice Labourel, a 15-minute video performance that will be screened on February 6 on the South Screen at the congress.

Yamaha sponsors the NexusVision installation, created by a team of students from the ESDI-Sabadell School of Design. This 50-square-meter circular structure, built with scaffolding and LED lights, explores human interaction through light effects that constantly transform the space.

The project emerged from a workshop aimed at design, architecture, and fine arts students, combining training in ephemeral structures and an ideas competition for the final proposal.

Promoting student talent

To promote the city's young emerging talent, the festival will feature works by students from 17 universities and art and design schools, created with the supervision of the artistic direction and support of the Llum BCN production team.

In addition, during the festival, an expert committee will visit the facilities and award three Young Talent Awards in the categories City, Atmosphere, and Risk.