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Edmonton artists to create brilliant concepts for Light the Bridge
Edmonton – Lights, music, and motion will enliven the historic High Level Bridge this year thanks to two outstanding Edmonton artists. Scott Peters and Jason Kodie are well known to Edmontonians as members of the iconic band, Captain Tractor, and as key members of the city’s lively and diverse cultural community. The team has been commissioned, through the 2015 Transitory Public Art Call, to create dynamic programming for Light the Bridge.
“The City is proud to have the High Level Bridge lights as part the Transitory Art Program,” says Councillor and Arts and Culture Initiative Co-Sponsor Ben Henderson. “We see it as great opportunity to achieve many simultaneous benefits including fostering the talent of our local artists, showcasing the real capabilities of the lights, and allowing all Edmontonians to experience public art in a new way.”
A citizen-led and funded initiative, Light the Bridge illuminates the landmark structure in thematic colours 365 days a year. Working with software engineers and the City of Edmonton Civic Events Office, Jason Kodie and Scott Peters will create up to ten programs that will expand, and become part of, the bridge’s lighting program.
The artists have a combined experience of more than 50 years working in Edmonton’s arts community. Kodie is an accomplished sound designer, in addition to being a founder of Francophone music group Allez Ouest. He serves as Music Curator for the Flying Canoe Volant Festival and was the Artistic Curator for Edmonton’s Cultural Capital in 2006. Peters is Production Manager and resident Lighting Designer for Theatre Network. His expertise with LED lighting technology has inspired him to create spectacular lighting effects at Edmonton’s Silver Skate Festival.
“The High Level Bridge is an enormous canvas to paint on, and we look forward to filling it,” says Scott Peters. “The challenge of the High Level Bridge is to create organic looks with the highly architectural form and structural lighting. We believe that this can be achieved by using the capabilities of the software and the bridge structure itself. Our theme is “organic,” and the looks are inspired by the world we inhabit here in Edmonton, Alberta.”
Edmonton Arts Council Executive Director, Paul Moulton, says, “The High Level Bridge is a spectacular backdrop for many of Edmonton’s festivals and celebratory events. The public fully embraced the Light the Bridge campaign, and now we are excited to see how these two talented local artists can engage with the lights in new and unexpected ways.”
