More light, more vision: Chemnitz set to shine with LOV 2.0

An exclusive press preview took place on the eve of the second “Light our Vision” (LOV) Festival of Light Art in Chemnitz. At a press conference, organisers Lotte Claudia Fischer and Linda Hüttner from Baukultur für Chemnitz e. V., supported by Event Manager Manuel Grießbach from Chemnitzer Tourismus und Marketing GmbH, Artistic Director Majo Ussat, and Festival Consultant Hendrik Wendler, shed some light on the creative and organisational challenges surrounding the Festival, which are even greater this year than last. From 25 to 28 September, LOV 2.0 will transform Chemnitz city centre into a radiant spectacle of light art.

Excitement despite the organisational challenges

“Of course we’re looking forward to the Festival, but the organisational effort was greater than expected. We’re also still collecting donations on our crowdfunding pages as financial security and as seed capital for the next edition in 2025”, explained Lotte Claudia Fischer. “Above all, we’re now hoping for a peaceful event for everyone and that everything runs smoothly.”
The preparations are largely complete and the façade projections have been successfully tested over the past few days. For the press preview, the Karl Marx Monument, the front and back of the “Parteifalte” office complex, the pop-up museum on Marienplatz (Mary’s Square), and the Opera House were illuminated, giving the press representatives a sneak peek of what is to come at the Festival of Light Art.

With the support of Manuel Grießbach’s event management team, Chemnitzer Tourismus und Marketing GmbH, regional partners such as Fahrlogistik Götze (who were called on to transport the installation on Marienplatz from Amsterdam at short notice), the commitment of the 11-strong team from Gunter Hüttner + Co. GmbH, and the many volunteers, the elaborate construction could be completed on time.

A safer, more comfortable experience for visitors

The organisers have ramped up their security measures to cope with the increased number of visitors and the expanded area. “In addition to the closure of Brückenstraße for the entire duration of the Festival, Carolastraße and Straße der Nationen will also be closed on Friday and Saturday from 7 pm to midnight”, says Manuel Grießbach. “Like last year, I would like to thank the City and the authorities for their excellent cooperation. It’s great to see everyone working hand-in-hand and finding quick solutions.”

The organisers have partnered with Volksbank Chemnitz to set up a system that enables visitors to pay for admission to the pop-up museum and pentagon3 by card on-site. Merchandise such as hoodies, t-shirts, light-up balls and accessories will also be sold on Marienplatz while stocks last.

“The catering stands (of which there are more than last year) will be accepting both cash and card payments. We have also introduced a Pfand (cup deposit) system for LOV cups to encourage the sustainable use of resources”, explained Linda Hüttner.

New dimensions and international involvement

LOV 2.0 is heading to new heights: “We have expanded the route and are displaying twice as many installations this year as in 2023. We have added the pop-up museum on Marienplatz (Mary’s Square) as a special centrepiece. It makes the Festival’s vision even more tangible, and shows how effectively light art can be used to visualise the future of a city”, says Majo Ussat, Artistic Director and Managing Director of URBANSCREEN.

“The Chemnitz Festival of Light Art is something truly special. We’ve had several cities approach us with the idea of organising a Festival like ours, and many fail because they underestimate the organisational and financial effort involved. What makes LOV so unique is that it is supported by volunteers and sponsors – normally this kind of event is financed by public institutions. This vision and the passion of the people of Chemnitz are what make the Festival so extraordinary.”

Artistic diversity and community involvement

Hendrik Wendler, Festival Consultant and Art Director of the Genius Loci Weimar Festival, also mentioned the special atmosphere at LOV: “It’s a unique community project that brings together people from different countries and from all over the local region.
You can already see a real community character developing.
Many of our artists are coming to Chemnitz for the first time and enjoying the creative energy here.” The international aspect in particular – with artists from Australia, Spain and Georgia – ensures great diversity.

“As a consultant, I was part of the project from the very beginning and helped develop the artistic concept for LOV. A festival like this has to be scalable. Last year, we had the element of surprise on our side, in that we were showing Chemnitz in a completely new light. This year we want to amaze people again.”

What are the team looking forward to the most?

“To the crowds being enchanted by the light installations and to the positive energy that the Festival brings to the city centre”, summarised Lotte Claudia Fischer. Everyone involved is eagerly anticipating the event, and Chemnitz can look forward to another unique experience.

Looking ahead: LOV in the Capital of Culture year 2025

Chemnitz residents and visitors can already start to look forward to the next edition of the Festival of Light.
Light our Vision will once again illuminate the city centre as part of Chemnitz’s year as Capital of Culture in 2025. From 24 to 27 September 2025, LOV 3.0 will play host to visionary light art and become a highlight of the Capital of Culture year with plenty of new surprises in the works.

For further information and press enquiries:

Lotte Claudia Fischer, Dipl.-Ing. Interior Designer, Tel: +49 (0)177 5272254, claudia@lightourvision.de
Linda Hüttner, Dipl.-Ing. Architect, Tel: +49 (0)371 5233539, linda@lightourvision.de

Cover photo:
Light our Vision – “Das Deck” pop-up museum on Marienplatz (Mary’s Square) by Australian artist duo Atelier Sisu (c) Luzie Rietschel/zebra group

About Baukultur für Chemnitz e. V.

Founded in March 2022 by members of the Saxony Chamber of Architects and people who share its vision, the association is the key organiser behind the “Light our Vision” Festival of Light Art. Chaired by Lotte Claudia Fischer, it aims to implement projects and ideas, including those developed by the working groups of the Saxony Chamber of Architects, in Chemnitz using donations and public funds. Further information at www.baukultur-chemnitz.de

About the Architektenkammer Sachsen (Saxony Chamber of Architects)

The Saxony Chamber of Architects (AKS) is a chamber of liberal professions, a public corporation, professional association and self-administration body for over 3,200 architects, interior designers, landscape architects and urban planners in Saxony. Its primary task is to cultivate, promote and effectively support the building industry, in particular the built environment, architecture, urban planning and landscape design sectors. In July 2021, a new “Chemnitz – Capital of Culture 2025” working group was formed under the Saxony Chamber of Architects umbrella. A small team of architects from Chemnitz, led by Lotte Claudia Fischer, is collecting ideas and planning exciting projects for the city’s year as the European Capital of Culture in 2025. The Chemnitz Festival of Light Art “Light our Vision” is one such project. Further information at www.aksachsen.org and www.lightourvision.de