Ten years of Schlosslichtspiele Karlsruhe

Small, colorful, abstract creatures that demonstrate how democracy works. The freedom sticks in visual retro aesthetics as a symbol of freedom. And large letters that convey a simple message: Democracy is alive when citizens participate and shape it. All of this will become part of the projections that have attracted more than two million visitors to the UNESCO City of Media Arts over the past decade, shed new light on the architecture of the palace and, in particular, brought digital art into the public space. A success that has made the Schlosslichtspiele an annual tradition in Karlsruhe.

But it’s not just the Schlosslichtspiele that are celebrating their tenth anniversary this year – the Basic Law is also 75 years old. It is therefore only natural that the Federal Constitutional Court, which is located right next to Karlsruhe Palace, and the Federal Court of Justice should move a little closer to the imposing baroque building in terms of both concept and content. The motto of the Schlosslichtspiele in the anniversary year is “Everybody counts”. Everyone counts. True to this motto, the participating artists will focus in particular on the topics of justice, freedom and democracy, which continue to be so important. And they do so in an impressive, inspiring and innovative way. This includes a work based on an idea by Alistair Hudson, Artistic Director of the ZKM Karlsruhe, on the subject of the Basic Law. “More than ever, as the world seems increasingly polarized and embattled, we need to come together as human beings, to gather in a place where we are all respected and where we are all heard,” says Hudson.

Herbert Grönemeyer will kick off the program in the anniversary year. As part of two open-air concerts on Schlossplatz, the 170-metre-wide palace façade will be illuminated and a set list created especially for these evenings will be performed. But even away from the concerts, a song from the new Grönemeyer album is an integral part of the program.

While some new shows will be premiering at the Schlosslichtspiele, a few classics and audience favorites will also be back. This includes Maxin10sity, who have been there every year since the beginning and will captivate the crowd with a best-of of the last ten years with their contribution “Unforgot10 Chapters”. In addition, the three best-placed works from the BBBank Awards will also be on show, as well as the winner of the dm Award. Overlapping Studio impressed the jury with its groundbreaking project “Particles Ensemble”: an interactive media installation that attracts the audience with soundscapes and uses infrared sensors to project the movements of the audience onto the castle in abstract representations. Dancing particles are created from the bodies of the guests on the façade of the building – dance and music are also intended to promote dialog between people. Or to put it in Herbert Grönemeyer’s words: “And freedom, and modernity, and above all, freedom from fear. There is strength in restlessness. Be smart, be cheeky, nobody can keep us down now. Dance about it, dance about it.”