Light Challenge ‘26: Glowing Nature - DARKER SKY
The prototype presentation of the Light Challenge during Into The Great Wide Open 2026 marks the end of this project, and opens up oppurtunities to further development and co-creation.
In this downloadable document, you can read about the experiences of two project teams regarding the testing and presentation of the prototypes during the festival, as well as their recommendations for further development—which they themselves would like to pursue.
Research and recommendations from team HVHL is to be found in an enclosed link.
Again, a massive ‘thank you’ to the participants and representatives, as well as to our partners and masterclass presenters, who also provided the teams with feedback during the presentations.
May this be a wonderful step toward even more multidisciplinary adventures exploring light and darkness!
- Light Challenge’26 -
The moment has arrived! After several months filled with research, masterclasses, presentations, and a workshop, the final online presentation of the Light Challenge took place on June 16th.
Protecting the darkness of the night and nature while simultaneously designing an attractive light installation to guide festival visitors from one artwork to the next is a complex challenge that the participants in this Light Challenge tackled from various perspectives and backgrounds.
It’s such a joy to see the various projects grow and take on surprising forms!
- A risk analysis was conducted based on the recorded presence of bats, birds, and moths that are active between sunset and sunrise. This data provides insight into where light sensitivity issues exist and how to manage artificial lighting in different areas of the island.
- Another team has focused on the design aspect of the assignment and is investigating, among other things, what color of light, what light intensity, and what duration the light installation will need to incorporate in order to meet the complex requirements of the assignment. In doing so, they are looking beyond standard light sources and design to explore materials that can generate light within their design.
- The third project demonstrates that, in addition to research, small differences in design can make a world of difference in the user experience. Using recycled materials and a 3D printer, various models were created in a short period of time and tested with participants tested on various points.
- Three interesting and diverse answers to a question on a highly topical subject.
- Three times the same conclusion: Darkness where possible, light where necessary. Wonder brings it all together.
We look forward to the further development and the LIVE presentations during Into The Great Wide Open on Vlieland!
Many thanks, of course, to the participants, as well as to our partners and masterclass presenters, who also provided the teams with feedback during the presentations.
Into The Great Wide Open, LabVlieland, Gemeente Vlieland, Staatsbosbeheer, InnoFest, Ermi van Oers, Evelien Castrop, Chiara Carucci
Interreg North Sea DARKER SKY
Gemeente Heerenveen
C.Light.Wise
Under the banner of the EU Interreg North Sea project DARKER SKY, a renewed Light Challenge will take place from February to June 2026, and the presentation of prototypes in August 2026. This time with a festive and multidisciplinary character with the theme: Glowing Nature - DARKER SKY
Educational partners of DARKER SKY and other educational institutes that have an affinity with DARKER SKY or previous editions of the Light Challenge are invited to have their students participate in this project. In this way, we are bringing together a diverse group of disciplines to consider the theme of Glowing Nature - DARKER SKY related to a festival in a national park. The DARKER SKY project and participating partners offer a wealth of information that can be included in the challenge.
Fully in line with the digital era and necessity to work across borders, the majority of the challenge will be digital. Kick off, master classes, a feedback moment and workshop will be offered online. However, the final steps towards a festive final will take place LIVE at Vlieland during Into The Great Wide Open where representatives of each team will be invited to present their design and prototype.
The detailed project description was announced during the kick-off meeting and can be viewed here.
