The Amsterdam Light Festival, celebrating the city’s 750th anniversary, is bathed in the ethereal glow of “Polaris,” a mesmerizing light installation by Jun Ong. Inspired by the North Star, a symbol of navigation and guidance for centuries, “Polaris” transcends its celestial origins to become a captivating landmark in Amsterdam’s urban landscape.
For millennia, the stars have played a crucial role in human life. They dictated agricultural seasons, religious festivals, and served as markers for major events. Rituals were meticulously aligned with astronomical phenomena like solstices and equinoxes, weaving together the celestial and terrestrial realms.
Ong’s “Polaris” evokes this rich history. It’s a “plucked” star, brought down from the heavens and reimagined within the Amsterdam cityscape. This light sculpture acts as a “temporal glitch,” reshaping the skyline and injecting a dose of wonder into the familiar.
But “Polaris” isn’t just about celestial beauty. It’s a site-specific installation that draws inspiration from the very essence of Amsterdam. The artwork is constructed at the vibrant intersection of water, land, and the constant flow of cyclists. This “dynamic yet ritualistic nexus” mirrors the city’s own rhythm and history.
The structure itself is an intriguing blend of light and near-invisibility. Think of it as a modern interpretation of the majestic masts and cables that once dominated Amsterdam’s bustling shipping scene. The star’s points strategically connect the bridge, water, and quayside, highlighting these three central elements of Amsterdam’s urban identity.
As viewers encounter “Polaris,” it becomes a point of convergence. It sparks a dialogue between ancient and 21st-century rituals, where the seemingly chaotic energy of the city meets structure and order. This interplay is a core theme of the Amsterdam Light Festival, aptly titled “Rituals.”
“Polaris” isn’t a new creation for Ong. It’s a reimagining of his 2015 installation “STAR.” This artistic lineage adds another layer of depth, suggesting a continuous exploration of the celestial’s influence on our world.
The light festival runs from November 28th, 2024, to January 19th, 2025, giving ample opportunity to experience this celestial beacon.
Jun Ong, the artist behind “Polaris,” is a Kuala Lumpur-based light artist with a background in architecture. His work is known for its ability to manipulate light and create immersive experiences that alter our perception of the built environment. He often collaborates with diverse professionals, from programmers to quantum physicists, pushing the boundaries of light’s potential through innovative materials and techniques.