Light graffiti

Whether you’re a graffiti enthusiast (or even artist); a Banksy book for the coffee-table type or  ‘exasperated by wall-scribbles of Godalming’, there’s no doubt of the merits of the Light Tag project.

Light Tag – a collaboration between the University for the Creative Arts, the University of Surrey and the South East Physics Network  – hopes to quite literally lighten up the lives of young people in the South East through a series of workshops, which took place in Southampton, Staines, Farnham, Guildford, Hounslow and Canterbury.

These involved groups of young people, who are either care leavers; disabled or those not in education, employment or training, have been helped to produce vibrant artworks to be proud of – helping them illuminate their own sense of creativity, confidence and achievement.

Over its course, over 55 participants were taught how coloured LED lights could create light drawings and animations. The resulting work hopes to explore and challenge society’s perception of youth culture.

Next month a ‘light graffiti’ exhibition of the stunning work produced during the course of the project will open at London’s BFI Southbank as part of the BFI Future Film Festival. The exhibition will then begin a tour of galleries in the South East.

People will also be invited to take part in a range of activities on the 12 February, including an LED Throwie event that will see hundreds of LEDs light up London’s skyline.

Visual artist Tine Bech, from UCA, who led the Light Tag Project, says, ‘Light Tag has been a fantastic experience for everybody involved. The young people who participated have created a really visually engaging project.
 
‘One of the project goals is to show youth culture in a positive light and increase the visibility of young peoples’ voices, which I think we’ve achieved.’

The Light Graffiti exhibition takes place at the BFI Southbank, London, on 11 February. The LED Throwie event  is on 12 February.