Alight

Architectural Projection Artwork

Alight

Architectural Projection Artwork

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