Author:
Martin Siplane

The Lighting Artwork of the Tartu Cathedral 'Dawn and Dusk'

27.06.2024
#culture

The artwork combining Nordic folklore, 19th century mythology and modern lighting design illuminates the walls of Tartu Cathedral every night. The work is inspired by a beautiful story where the lovers Dawn and Dusk meet only once a year on the summer solstice, when day and night
become one. 

"The winning work offers a dynamic play of light and shadow instead of a classic static lighting solution, which makes the old walls breathe in the rhythm of nature. We are particularly pleased that the entire lighting solution avoids light pollution and takes into consideration not only the wellbeing of people but also the preservation of the diversity of Toomemägi's nocturnal fauna."

Artist Elo Liiv

The light is switched on at sunset and changes several times as darkness falls in the evening. At night, the light intensity is reduced so as not to disturb the animals, birds and other inhabitants of Toomemägi while they sleep. In the morning, the light artwork welcomes early arrivals to Toomemägi and then switches off for the day at sunrise. From Friday to Sunday, half an hour after dusk, a special layer of the lighting artwork called' Coloured Shadows' is activated. During this time, the Cathedral is bathed in blue and purple tones, and because of an optic effect, everyone walking between the ruins will have multiple colored shadows.
 
We celebrate the 800th anniversary of Estonia's largest medieval church with a light artwork that speaks of the eternal cycle of nature and the power of love.

The lighting artwork of the Tartu Cathedral is part of the project 'Toomemägi Revisited' within the main programme of the European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024, bringing the historical heart of Tartu to life with the help of light, culture and science.

 The team: Light To Light, Fiorenzo Naméche, Chiara Carucci, Alfred Sà

 

A warm glow during dusk.
A warm glow during dusk. (author: Martin Siplane)
  • During twilight hours, the cathedral’s towers and choir are bathed in amber-coloured light. Ahead of sunset, the ruins are lit up with a warm white glow.
  • The amber-coloured lighting is added as the sky darkens. At the same time, an installation representing a river of stars comes on beneath the towers on weekends, it is accompanied by pink, blue and purple layers of light.
  • At night the cathedral is lit in red tones.
  • As dawn breaks, warm light spreads up over the ruins from the ground level, imitating the sunrise. The light-based sunrise artwork then switches off.
  • At night, red tones are added to the walls of the ruins.
    At night, red tones are added to the walls of the ruins. (author: Martin Siplane)
During the night-time darkness, the ruins are illuminated in shadowy purples, pinks and blues.
During the night-time darkness, the ruins are illuminated in shadowy purples, pinks and blues. (author: Martin Siplane)
Adding to these amber-coloured tones is the installation representing a river of stars beneath the towers.
Adding to these amber-coloured tones is the installation representing a river of stars beneath the towers. (author: Martin Siplane)
As dawn breaks, warm light spreads up over the ruins from the ground level.
As dawn breaks, warm light spreads up over the ruins from the ground level. (author: Martin Siplane)