An Olympic makeover at city hall at dusk tonight will see large strips of LEDs highlight each of the buildings’ terraces like icing on a gigantic layer cake.
The white LED strips will also cascade like a waterfall every time the clock strikes the hour.
Ice Light, by German Artist Gunda Förster, is a permanent external light installation.
In a statement on the city’s website, Förster said the technologically produced waterfall embodies part of what makes Vancouver unique: “A highly industrialized city that is surrounded by wild, pristine nature.”
The cascading light, she added, refers to the traditional function of a city hall, signalling the “start of every new hour.”
It is Förster’s first North American commission. The lighting will take place at 4 p.m.
The switch to LED lighting is expected to save the city 70 per cent in external lighting energy consumption.
Ice Light is part of a $6-million Olympic and Paralympic Arts Program, a collection of more than 20 permanent and temporary works.
