Rainbow Umbrella Installation Lights Up iconic Belfast Street
A new state-of-the-art light installation has been erected on Commercial Court outside iconic Belfast pub, The Duke of York.
The colourful new installation of 21 rainbow coloured illuminated umbrellas was commissioned by Duke of York director, Willie Jack in the latest effort to give members of the public hope that brighter days lie ahead.
The famous Belfast pub closed at the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Twelve months on, The Duke of York remains closed. However, as the vaccination programme picks up pace, there is renewed hope that hospitality venues may be able to reopen in the coming months.
In the meantime, this new installation will create a stunning technicolour backdrop for passers-by traversing the quiet city streets.
Created by local company, AM Light, the installation features 21 meticulously hand-crafted steel umbrellas suspended over the length of Commercial Court. The specialist hi-tech paint finish of each unit is arranged as a rainbow formation, creating a canopy of colour by day. The installation will come alive at night, as each umbrella features concealed colour change lighting. The lighting can also be colour-coded for special events and dates.
A customised lighting show will run each night when The Duke of York reopens. The narrative of the show, named ‘No rain, no Rainbows’, will pay homage to the turmoil of the preceding year; the outbreak of the pandemic; the forced closure of business; and recognise how the NHS battled waves of unprecedented illness. The finale of the show will see the street fully illuminated with a victorious rainbow symbolising that there are brighter days ahead.
Commenting ahead of the launch, Joanne Jack said: “It is fitting that we officially launch the installation this weekend, as the clocks go forward and the city’s largest mass vaccination centre prepares to open next week. This has been a long and very difficult year for many people but Belfast is a resilient city. We have weathered darker days than this and there is now very real hope that we have brighter days on the horizon – this message is at the heart of our new umbrella installation and I hope this strikes a chord with people as we all take cautiously optimistic steps forward.”
AM Light is the only business in Northern Ireland to specialise in the craft fabrication of neon signs, they also create illuminated art displays and commercial signage.
Commenting, Chris McNevison, AM Light said: “We are proud to partner with The Duke of York on this major new light installation, which we hope will be a beacon of hope to many in the weeks and months ahead.”
