Client
Artichoke
Location
Shildon, County Durham, England
Client
Artichoke
Location
Shildon, County Durham, England
Project Details
A Journey of Imagination and Revolution
From the first journey to today, two centuries of railways begin and end in Shildon. Alight is a large scale architectural projection artwork by NOVAK featuring a score by Ed Carter and Roma Yagnik, celebrating the global legacy of the North East of England’s incredible contribution to the modern railway and the resulting social and cultural revolution. Presented at Locomotion in Shildon as part of the UK’s premier light festival, Lumiere 2025.
Project Details
A Journey of Imagination and Revolution
From the first journey to today, two centuries of railways begin and end in Shildon. Alight is a large scale architectural projection artwork by NOVAK featuring a score by Ed Carter and Roma Yagnik, celebrating the global legacy of the North East of England’s incredible contribution to the modern railway and the resulting social and cultural revolution. Presented at Locomotion in Shildon as part of the UK’s premier light festival, Lumiere 2025.
The Brief
Celebrate a Global Legacy
The year 2025 marked the 200th anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR), an opening that heralded the arrival of the modern railway and transformed travel, commerce and communication. As the site of a key location on this historic line, Shildon continues its legacy today as the location of the Locomotion museum. To celebrate this momentous anniversary, NOVAK was invited by long term associates and producers of Lumiere, Artichoke, to create a new work to feature as part of the 2025 edition of the festival and as a centrepiece to the ‘Spotlight on Shildon’ strand of the event.
The Brief
Celebrate a Global Legacy
The year 2025 marked the 200th anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR), an opening that heralded the arrival of the modern railway and transformed travel, commerce and communication. As the site of a key location on this historic line, Shildon continues its legacy today as the location of the Locomotion museum. To celebrate this momentous anniversary, NOVAK was invited by long term associates and producers of Lumiere, Artichoke, to create a new work to feature as part of the 2025 edition of the festival and as a centrepiece to the ‘Spotlight on Shildon’ strand of the event.





Our Response
Traversing the World Stage
The birth of the modern railway sparked a global revolution. It expanded far beyond Shildon and the North East of England to meet ever increasing demands for haulage and travel, connecting billions across diverse cultures and fundamentally transforming human interaction. Beyond commerce, the railway inspired extraordinary feats of engineering and design. Iconic locomotives and legendary journeys became national symbols, providing a rich source of inspiration for artists, musicians, and writers. Drawing on this social and cultural impact, NOVAK developed Alight, an artwork that led audiences on a global expedition through diverse landscapes via iconic trains. A central feature was the original score by musicians Ed Carter and Roma Yagnik, whose evocative tapestry established a rhythmic foundation that amplified the journey's shifting momentum and highlighted cultural milestones along the route. Presented over three nights in November 2025, Alight captivated audiences of all ages as a powerful tribute to the North East’s legacy of innovation and global impact.
Our Response
Traversing the World Stage
The birth of the modern railway sparked a global revolution. It expanded far beyond Shildon and the North East of England to meet ever increasing demands for haulage and travel, connecting billions across diverse cultures and fundamentally transforming human interaction. Beyond commerce, the railway inspired extraordinary feats of engineering and design. Iconic locomotives and legendary journeys became national symbols, providing a rich source of inspiration for artists, musicians, and writers. Drawing on this social and cultural impact, NOVAK developed Alight, an artwork that led audiences on a global expedition through diverse landscapes via iconic trains. A central feature was the original score by musicians Ed Carter and Roma Yagnik, whose evocative tapestry established a rhythmic foundation that amplified the journey's shifting momentum and highlighted cultural milestones along the route. Presented over three nights in November 2025, Alight captivated audiences of all ages as a powerful tribute to the North East’s legacy of innovation and global impact.

Credits
Alight by NOVAK
Shown at Locomotion in Shildon, County Durham for Lumiere 2025
Concept, design, production and project management by NOVAK
Score by Ed Carter and Roma Yagnik
Illustration partner Darryl Ibbetson
Animation partner Andrew Donaldson
Character animation partner Nicholas Waterton
Commissioned and produced by Artichoke for Durham County Council
Co-Produced by Pinwheel
With support from Arts Council England and North East Combined Authority
Projection partner GrayMatter
Technical partner Andy Coates
Event documentation partner Meerkat Films
Photography by Peter Swan
Credits
Alight by NOVAK
Shown at Locomotion in Shildon, County Durham for Lumiere 2025
Concept, design, production and project management by NOVAK
Score by Ed Carter and Roma Yagnik
Illustration partner Darryl Ibbetson
Animation partner Andrew Donaldson
Character animation partner Nicholas Waterton
Commissioned and produced by Artichoke for Durham County Council
Co-Produced by Pinwheel
With support from Arts Council England and North East Combined Authority
Projection partner GrayMatter
Technical partner Andy Coates
Event documentation partner Meerkat Films
Photography by Peter Swan
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