About Checkmate
Chess, a timeless symbol of strategic play, transcends cultures and languages, fostering connections among people from diverse backgrounds. Checkmate aims to bring this universal appeal to public spaces, ensuring accessibility and engagement across all ages and cultures. Like an intricate dance of 'mini sculptures', each chess piece embodies its own rules and movements, inviting players into a poetic interplay of intellect and concentration.
By transforming this iconic symbol into a monumental spectacle, the public is invited to undertake a wondrous and expansive journey of extraordinary proportions. Each chess piece draws inspiration from the 20th Century Bauhaus movement, a pivotal era where art and design converged, shaping modern aesthetics. This artwork reverently pays homage to Bauhaus's historical impact, celebrating its fusion of creativity and functionality.
This is one of three Amigo & Amigo pieces, you can also see Piano Walk and No Place Like Gnome on the River of Light 2024 trail.
Location
Exchange Flags
Liverpool
L2 3PF
Artist
Sustainability information
At Amigo & Amigo, sustainability is a key focus in the design process. They use LED energy saving lighting, also use quality parts to allow longevity of material lifespan. The Chess pieces have been designed to be able to be repaired to limit waste.
Accessibility information
Checkmate features an original music score by Otis Studio, enhancing the immersive experience with a modern electronic composition. The music is characterized by playful robotic sounds, creating the sensation that the giant chess pieces are mechanically moving around the board. This auditory element adds a layer of depth to the installation, making it feel as though the chessboard is alive with activity, perfectly complementing the visual and interactive aspects of the piece.
River of Light 2024 programme
Bunch of Tulips - Koros Design
This installation by Koros Design inflates this iconic flower to epic proportions, putting it into…
Positive Spin - Liz Harry
Inspired by a love of summers spent at beach front arcades it's part immersive experience and part…
LAPS - Olivier Landreville
LAPS is a modern take on the traditional hourglass that gives us the opportunity to literally take…
Impulse - Lateral Design
Transforming public space into a big, luminous and interactive playground
Piano Walk - Amigo & Amigo
An interactive artwork by Australian artist, Amigo & Amigo.
Firefly Field - Studio Toer
What is the collective noun for a group of fireflies? A swarm seems too beastly. A lantern? A…
Rangoli Mirrored Cosmos - MURUGIAH
A 1.8 metre tall fibreglass sculpture with a reflective internal face. Rangoli Mirrored Cosmos is…
Illusion Hole - UxU Studio
This series, which utilizes meteor lights, was born from the studio's curiosity about how visitors…
Lightbattle III - VENIVIDIMULTIPLEX
Lightbattle III is an exciting and immersive experience that celebrates the joy of cycling. The…
Bubblesque - Atelier Sisu
This bespoke interactive iteration draws in the audience’s innate sense of curiosity and play, and…
Checkmate - Amigo & Amigo
Chess, a timeless symbol of strategic play, transcends cultures and languages, fostering connections…
No place like Gnome - Amigo & Amigo
Roaming Gnomes invites participants on a whimsical journey, where each gnome transforms into a…
More River of Light information links
Download a route map
Follow River of Light 2024 route map
Frequently asked questions
Got questions about River of Light? Visit our FAQs
River of Light easy read
Download easy read descriptions for all artworks
Travelling around Liverpool
Travel around Liverpool City Region
Food and drink
Find the perfect place for a bite to eat
River of Light 2024 programme: Play
The 7th edition of River of Light is here from October 25 - November 5.