Leo Villareal to light up London's bridges

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New York-based artist Leo Villareal is to light up the Thames after being named the winner of the Illuminated River Foundation's competition to create a series of installations for London's bridges.

Together with London architects Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands, Villareal topped a six-strong shortlist for the international design contest. His work will see 17 bridges permanently used as "canvases for light" at night.

"Leo Villareal's proven ability to paint with light matched with Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands' direct experience of building bridges over the Thames was an irresistible and inspirational combination," foundation chairwoman Hannah Rothschild said.

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"Their scheme is beautiful, ambitious and realisable but always considerate to the environment, lighting levels and energy conservation."

Villareal, a former sculptor who turned to computer code and lighting, has previous form with The Bay Lights, which illuminate the San Francisco Bay Bridge, reports Dezeen.

His plans show dreamy hues ranging from orange to turquoise washing across and along the undersides of the crossings, although some critics, including The Guardian, say "most of them are beautiful and fascinating structures in no need of further adornment."

The Illuminated River project, which will be almost wholly privately funded, already has £10m in donations from the likes of the Rothschild Foundation, Historic England and the Thames Tideway. It is also supported by the Mayor of London and the Corporation of London.

Villareal's winning project, entitled Current, saw off UK contenders including Adjaye Associates, with its Blurring Boundaries proposal, and a Thames Nocturne plan from Sam Jacob Studio. Others shortlisted included New York firm Diller Scofidio + Renfro and Lyon lighting studio Les Eclairagistes Associes.