The February experience will center around four different lighting installations combining traveling, annual, and permanent features, from local and international artists throughout the ped mall.
– Supported by the ICDD, Think Iowa City, OPN Architects, Axiom Consultants, and MidAmerican Energy, Iowa City will be the only U.S. community in 2023 to welcome internationally renowned artist Amanda Parer’s installation, “Intrude”. All the way from Australia, Downtown Iowa City will host six enormous rabbits as they adorn several sections of the ped mall to provoke a sense of wonder and playful interactions while raising questions about our relationship with the natural world. “It can be said that the rabbit is my muse. My artwork, Intrude, is like any good fairytale, it works from both the light and the dark. In Australia, the rabbit simultaneously represents a cute, cuddly character from our childhood and is an animal known to impose great destruction on the island continent’s delicate ecosystems. It has been fun to use these motifs to explore our relationship with the natural world”, said artist, Amanda Parer.
- Thanks to the support from our sponsors, each Intrude rabbit has been given a name: Bertha, Helen, Buster, Hippie T. Hop, Charlie, and Watt-son. Come interact with the rabbits and treat them as if they were real rabbits – give them a gentle touch, snap some photos with them, or even embrace them with a warm hug. Guests can have a fun conversation with each of the bunnies by scanning the QR codes on the signs or by texting ‘Hello [rabbit name]’ to 319-346-3443. Each bunny will have its own unique conversation to help you learn more about the artist’s environmental message behind the installation and why they’re visiting downtown.
– Through a partnership between the University of Iowa, Neumann Monson, and the ICDD, a new interactive 120-foot light canopy will be draped over one of the signature alleys in the heart of downtown. This new lighting installment will be open during Winter Night Lights and remain a permanent fixture throughout the year. This highly adaptable lighting canopy can be activated by sound with those that engage with it and is sure to set the stage for impromptu events and activities throughout the year.
– Interactive “Singing Trees” will be activated along the Dubuque Street corridor of the pedestrian mall, focusing on 6 trees with a full installation of lights to interact with the sounds and music happening in the City’s living room.
– Iowa City based artist Ali Hval has designed and installed six “Doodle trees” creating a bright, fun and eclectic backdrop to the Dubuque Street area of the ped mall.
In addition to these art installations, The Winter Night Lights experience will include each Friday in February will include cold-weather dance parties with silent disco at the Weatherdance Fountain stage. Beginning February 3, 2023, the community and visitors staying in the area will want to grab their parkas, scarves, and mittens from 6-9pm on February 3, 10, 17, and 24 for Iowa City’s soon to be first outdoor dance parties.
