‘Winterlights’ show dazzles visitors in old Berlin factory hall

Floating forest of fir trees, a glowing ice rink: A new light and sound installation in Berlin creates a winter wonderland using disco balls and over 300,000 LEDs.

Floating forest of fir trees, a glowing ice rink: A new light and sound installation in Berlin creates a winter wonderland using disco balls and over 300,000 LEDs.

Image: Nadja Wohlleben/REUTERSPeople attend the opening of the light installation "Winterlights" in Berlin. The image shows a group of people seen in silhouette from behind, against a purple and pink light installation resembling a pine forest.

At a festive opening night with Christmas vibes, crowds gathered in Berlin on Wednesday for the launch of the light and sound installation “Winterlights.” Media artist Christopher Bauder has created a winter wonderland spanning over 1,000 square meters (10,760 square feet) at the Transformator-Kunsthalle in Lichtenberg.

Image: Nadja Wohlleben/REUTERS

More than 600 fir trees of various sizes are illuminated by 300,000 LEDs as part of an audiovisual show. However, only a few of the trees stand upright; most hang from the ceiling, creating an upside-down, floating forest.

Image: Britta Pedersen/dpa/picture alliance

At the heart of the installation is an ice rink that takes up nearly half of the space. The highlight: thousands of lights embedded in the ice transform the surface into a dynamic display right beneath the skaters’ blades.

Image: Nadja Wohlleben/REUTERS

The light art is accompanied by atmospheric music by Dutch composer and producer Chris Kuijten. “Winterlights” lasts 40 minutes and is repeated throughout the evening.

Image: Britta Pedersen/dpa/picture alliance

Bauder, a self-proclaimed Christmas romantic, combines classic winter motifs with contemporary light art. The installations are intended to blur the boundaries between the real and digital worlds.

Image: Britta Pedersen/dpa/picture alliance

Dozens of disco balls form a web of light above the ice surface, almost like a starry sky.

Image: Tobias Schwarz/AFP

“Winterlights” runs through February 14, 2027. The permanent exhibition “Dark Matter,” featuring audiovisual light artworks, can also be viewed inside the former factory building.

Image: Nadja Wohlleben/REUTERS7 images1 | 77 imageshttps://p.dw.com/p/5P7Io

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