As part of Bolton's 2025 Light Festival, Put Big Light On, the Octagon has commissioned a piece of art, in partnership with Bolton Council and Things That Go On Things, that will be showcased in our Studio. 'Wave' combines painting, sculpture, projection mapping, and soundscapes inspired by Bolton’s urban and natural textures.

This art installation is open and free to the public, Thu 20 to Sun 23 Nov, between 5pm and 9pm each evening.

More about 'Wave'

A fluid conversation between light, sound, painting and movement by are you playing out

Wave is an immersive, interactive installation exploring the flowing exchange between visual, sonic and spatial art forms. Designed to be flexible for Bolton Octagon Theatre Studio Space, the piece investigates how painting, projection, movement and sound can enter into a living, responsive conversation with each other and with the audience.

The work centres around a long curvilinear structure, which acts simultaneously as sculptural form, projection surface and painted object. Projection mapping will animate the surface with responsive visuals, subtly shifting in rhythm with an original sound composition. The audio will include layered instrumental elements and field recordings gathered from Bolton’s urban and natural environments; local textures embedded into the sensory experience.

The audience is invited to move around and engage not only visually but physically, exploring the structure, casting shadows, changing perspectives and becoming part of the unfolding dialogue.

Check out the creation progress..

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