Pendulum - Artwork of River of Light 2025

About Pendulum

Pendulum is a giant interactive artwork that blends science, art, and play into an immersive experience. Inspired by the simple beauty of a gravity pendulum, this illuminated installation brings motion to life through dynamic waves of light and sound. Suspended above the audience, a glowing geometric structure appears to sway back and forth, mimicking the rhythm of a pendulum.

On either side, interactive light spheres invite people to engage - when pushed, they activate the artwork, sending energy across the space. The light animations follow the pendulum’s natural movement, creating the illusion of continuous motion, as if the entire structure is swinging through the air. By transforming the forces of gravity into shifting patterns of light and sound, Pendulum turns a fundamental scientific principle into a mesmerising, playful, and immersive experience.

Easy read description

Pendulum is a glowing artwork that moves back and forth. People can push light spheres to make waves of light and sound. It’s playful, interactive, and shows how gravity creates beautiful motion.

Artist

Amigo and Amigo

Location

Pier Head - North (L3 1BY)

What 3 words: fired.puppy.forces

Sustainability information

This artwork has been thoughtfully designed with sustainability and longevity at its core. Constructed from durable, heavy-duty materials, it is built to withstand time and minimize environmental impact through reduced need for replacement or repair. Key components have been engineered for easy maintenance, with replaceable parts that extend the life of the piece rather than requiring full replacement.

Energy-efficient LED lighting is used to reduce power consumption while maintaining visual impact, aligning with modern standards for low-energy design. This work rejects short-term, disposable approaches to creation, favoring instead a long-lasting presence that emphasises endurance, responsible material use, and minimal waste over its lifetime. By prioritising resilience, reparability, and energy efficiency, this artwork reflects a commitment to sustainable practice in contemporary art.

Accessibility information

A detailed description of Pendulum for those who are hearing impaired

Pendulum is a large outdoor light installation housed within a steel rectangular frame. Suspended inside are an arrangement of diagonal illuminated rods that crisscross in a wave-like pattern. Interspersed along these rods are glowing spheres, evenly spaced, forming an array from one end of the structure to the other.

The spheres emit light and change colour in response to the direct interaction with two glowing spheres, mounted at waist-height on curved supports, at either end of the structure. The installation is open underneath, allowing visitors to walk through or gather beneath the hanging lights.

Visual and Light considerations

The lighting element of this installation consists of several spheres which emit light and change colour in response to the direct interaction with two constantly glowing spheres.

Noise considerations

The audio element of this installation consists of dark synthesisers then releasing into atmospheric bells and pulsating metallic sounds. Curious at first, it increases in intensity, leading to a rapid wind down at the end.

General considerations

The approach to the installation is on Pier Head North which is flagged and level, please note the installation itself does not contain any seating areas; street furniture is situated in the vicinity of the installation in the area.