Arts by the Sea returns to Bournemouth this September for its 14th iteration – and organisers are promising the brightest festival yet with a trio of dazzling new artworks.

Headlining this year’s festival is Evanescent, an immersive bubble experience from Sydney-based design studio Atelier Sisu.

The larger-than-life, light-up installation comes courtesy of Peruvian sculptor and industrial designer Renzo B Larriviere, alongside architect and artist Zara Pasfield.

“Evanescent is a very playful piece,” said the duo, “and one that was created to explore the idea of transience through the visualisation of bubbles.

“We want the visitors to Arts by the Sea to feel a sense of child-like wonder as they explore amongst the sculpture’s parts and to consider the delicacy of the world around them, as represented by the bubbles which look as though they could pop at any moment.”

They’ll be joined by Kaleider, whose Twist and Shine installation invites visitors to manipulate and shape interactive light sculptures.

Every interconnected prism in Twist and Shine is able to be rotated, producing a final result with infinite possibilities.

Kaleider is the combined effort of South West-based producers Katie Keeler and Jocelyn Mills, artist and producer Irene Urrutia, manager Peter Vanderford, and artist and director Seth Honnor.

“Twist and Shine is completely interactive”, said Katie and Jocelyn.

“It appeals to everyone, from children learning to express their creativity to art lovers who want to add their own touch to the festival.

“Every time someone interacts with and alters the sculpture, they create a new starting point for the next person to work from.

“By transforming the shape, they add another dimension to the sculpture’s story and history.

“Visitors can work together to create, work alone, or simply enjoy watching others experiment.”

Finally there’s Light Art Creatives, who’ll be treating visitors to two different installations this year.

Artist in residence Rebecca Strickson is working with the studio to create an impressive light projection on Bournemouth’s Upside Down House, transforming the building into a living art piece of bold colours and patterns.

“Rebecca’s artwork translates beautifully into light projections, with its vibrancy and beautiful use of colour,” said Julian Dorrell, director at Light Art Creatives.

“The Upside Down House is such an iconic building in Bournemouth, so it’s the perfect place to transform into a magical artist masterpiece that’s sure to delight visitors to the festival.”

Light Art Creatives has also teamed up with Canadian artist Louis-Robert Bouchard of Interferences, Arts and Technologies on the Digital Graffiti project.

Festivalgoers will be able to try their hand at ‘spraying’ their own temporary digital designs onto Bournemouth Pavilion using controllers shaped like spray cans.

Working together with Arts by the Sea, Louis received funding from Quebec City as part of the Cultural Development Program, allowing him to showcase the work at the festival for its European premier this September.

“At Interferences, Arts and Technologies, we’ve been dedicated to developing a collaborative and flexible digital graffiti system that bridges technology with artistic expression,” said Louis.

“Our system has transformed the act of graffiti into an ephemeral and spectacular performance.

“We’re thrilled to be a part of the 2024 Arts by the Sea celebrations, marking the first international presentation of our digital graffiti.

“This festival provides an incredible platform to showcase our innovative work and to inspire a diverse audience.”

Andrea Francis, festival director for Arts by the Sea, added: “With our theme of TASTE this year, visitors to the festival can expect to see a huge array of different types of art and become their own art critique, and we’re delighted with the light-based installations that will be seen for 2024!

“We want to invite everyone to come and sample the different art forms, to test out their own creativity, discuss what they like and dislike in art, and to rethink their own tastes as they explore a new, luminous world of creativity from our brilliant artists.”

This year’s festival will run from Friday 27 to Sunday 29 September.

• artsbythesea.co.uk

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