This year programme is set to transform London’s streets, buildings and public spaces into an immersive art show exploring a myriad of topics: from architecture and sound to political and social discourses, every light installation and painted facade will be an opportunity for visitors to reflect upon a diversity of matters as well as to have fun participating into some of the interactive pieces.

Holding a strong diversity of artists, you will be able to see works by blue chip artists such as Tracey Emin or Julian Opie next to emerging names such as Alaa Minawi or French collective Collectif Coin. On the overall, a fantastic opportunity for audiences to enjoy first-time pedestrianised streets and experience London as a massive open-air gallery.

Best thing is that the festival is free to attend and the itinerary is completely flexible. You might want to wonder freely around the various spots or to plan your route by downloading the Visit London App or by purchasing the festival map online, which includes a full colour printed programme. Still, there are walking routes between many of the locations and plenty of opportunities to stay and linger over a drink or meal at the many venues and attractions along the way.

As we already know that experiencing it all is an almost impossible task, METAL anticipates its five star selection with a series of installations not to be missed:

Be Faithful to Your Dreams by Tracey Emin (UK), St. James’s Church, Picadilly.
In this piece, Emin uses her own handwritten text with a message that takes inspiration from her own life. As many of her neon works, the craft of the curves of pen marks on paper blows and bends into a neon tubing that will glow Emin’s characteristic fluorescent blue.

Aasalto is an extraordinary combination of a part-video installation, part-public intervention by Spanish artist Daniel Canogar, who is best known for his site-specific public art projects. In this case, the old Westminster City Hall will be invaded by their residents and workers as they appear to slowly climb up the building one after the other and eventually reach the top.

My Light is Your Light by Alaa Minawi (Palestine/Lebanon), St. James’s Chruchyard (views from Church Place).
This installation plays tribute to Syrian refugees and the terrible conditions they have experienced in their migrations. This work was realised after Minawi’s work as an interpreter for Syrian, Iraqi, Sudanese and Somali refugees for three years. If you get to see this don’t miss Suspended, an installation artwork by Arabelia Dorman inside St James’s Church in Picadilly.

Supercube by Stephane Masson (France), St. James’s Market.
For this project Masson will transform four hundred and fifty ordinary Kilner jars into a magical multi-screen cube full of surprises. A miniature giraffe, a pink elephant or a miniature version of yourself are just some of the many small moving images that can be found when you peer inside of the jars. Have fun digging into your Kilner-you!

The Light of the Spirit Chapter 2 by Patrice Warrener (France) at Westminster Abbey.
The French digital artist did it again. Warrener returns to present the second instalment of The Light of Spirit by illuminating painted facade in an idiosyncratic polychromatic style.