National Festival of Making – Light Organ

Light Organ transforms your voice into a symphony of light. This large-scale interactive installation features 38 illuminated acrylic pipes that respond to sounds captured through microphones positioned around the space.⁠
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During your visit, guests are invited to sing, speak, clap or create any sound to activate dynamic patterns of light within the sculptural array.⁠

The interactive installation allows you to control its colourful lights with the sounds you make – and the sensory experience is perfect for all ages to enjoy together.

The creators devised the work to be “uplifting and playful – encouraging people to experiment and share their love of light and sound”.⁠

About the Installation

Light Organ will be installed from Saturday 5th July – Sunday 13th July.

• The Crypt will be open from 11am until 4pm each day and throughout the installation there is no charge for entry, although a suggested donation of £5 per person is encouraged which supports the upkeep of Blackburn Cathedral, helping us stage more events like this and keeping our doors open for all.
• Access to the Crypt is directly from Cathedral Square, BB1 1FB or via the main Cathedral building, next to Checks & Greys café.
• Light Organ was originally commissioned for Bradford Cathedral in 2021 and has since delighted over 30,000 visitors.
• The installation at Blackburn Cathedral is part of the National Festival of Making.

About the Artists

Akeelah Bertram is an emotion-led immersive artist working at the intersection of creative technology, ceremonial design, interactive and immersive experiences. She creates spaces for connection in person and online, where we can forge deeper and more profound relationships with one another. In October 2024, she became the Cavendish Art Science Fellow at Girton College, University of Cambridge.

Simon Fletcher is an artist, musician and creative technologist. Embracing technology as a medium through which to express ideas, through his collaborations Simon works to develop a shared vision and find new ways of wielding tech to illuminate concepts. He has worked with artists and collectives including Imitating The Dog and Invisible Flock as well as a number of other collaborations with Akeelah.

Adam Glatherine is an artist, light sculptor and optical engineer. His intention as an artist is to share a delight and fascination with light, form and their interaction. As a light sculptor, he works to physicalise the abstract, creating handcrafted optical forms that use light to encourage presence, wonder and connection. Through the interaction of light, material, idea and form, he creates works to enliven the mind, engage the imagination and lift the spirit.