Breathtaking Recreation of Northern Lights Illuminates Birmingham Skyline

By Anushka Malhotra

1 minute 3 seconds

Tech

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Quick Read: Birmingham's city center will be adorned with a stunning recreation of the Northern Lights, as artist Dan Acher brings his captivating display, "Borealis," to St Martin's Walk. Illuminating the skyline for ten nights, this enchanting spectacle combines light beams and music, inviting residents to witness a harmonious blend of artistry and nature's wonders.

A mesmerizing spectacle resembling the Northern Lights is set to grace the Birmingham sky for the next ten nights, transforming the city center into a canvas of ethereal beauty. Crafted by renowned artist and climate advocate Dan Acher, accompanied by a musical composition from French artist Guillaume Desbois, the free display named "Borealis" will unfold its enchanting radiance at St Martin's Walk, near the Bullring, every evening from February 9 to 18.

Photo Credits: Chloe Elizabeth and Adelaide Fringe

This immersive experience, which has captivated audiences in 40 cities worldwide, involves projecting beams of light through clouds, creating a dynamic and ever-changing visual symphony. Acher, passionate about blending art with environmental consciousness, aims to offer a magical encounter that challenges the boundaries of what we perceive as possible in an urban landscape.

Photo Credits: Juio Orduno

As the display unfolds against the backdrop of Birmingham's skyline, Acher emphasizes the influence of weather on the appearance, reinforcing the notion that nature retains the ultimate authority over such breathtaking phenomena. In contemplating the awe-inspiring production, spectators are prompted to ponder the evolving relationship between technology and nature, especially in the context of our planet's changing climate.

The free public exhibit encourages Birmingham residents and visitors alike to marvel at the fusion of artistic innovation and natural wonder, serving as a captivating reminder of the delicate balance between technological advancements and the irreplaceable gifts that nature provides. Following its Birmingham showcase, "Borealis" is poised to embark on a journey to Adelaide, where it will continue to captivate audiences until the arrival of spring.

Read more here.

What's new

CreaTech Frontiers Launch Unlocks £250K in Funding for West Midlands Creative Innovators

Creative SMEs in the West Midlands are being given a major boost with the launch of CreaTech Frontiers, a new innovation cluster that has opened applications for the first £250,000 round of grant funding.

The programme, which offers individual grants of up to £10,000, is designed to help freelancers and small creative businesses develop groundbreaking ideas at the intersection of creativity and technology. The funding forms part of a £7.2 million, five-year initiative led by a consortium of regional powerhouses including Birmingham City University (BCU), University of Birmingham, Coventry University, University of Warwick, and the Royal Shakespeare Company. It’s funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council as part of the UK Research and Innovation's Creative Industries Cluster Programme.

Photo Credit: University of Warwick

Officially launched on April 29 at STEAMhouse, BCU’s innovation centre, CreaTech Frontiers marks the first time the West Midlands has received funding through this prestigious national scheme.

Professor Lamberto Coccioli, Director of CreaTech Frontiers, said:

“These early-stage grants will give creative entrepreneurs access not just to capital, but also to university-led research and resources that can turn ambitious ideas into reality. This is about unlocking cultural, social and economic value across the region.”

CreaTech Frontiers is aiming to ignite a wave of innovation in sectors like gaming, immersive tech, live performance, visual arts, and creative technologies. Successful applicants will also gain access to facilities across the five partner institutions, along with specialist academic support during the R&D phase.

Future plans include a second, larger round of grant funding, a pilot with Birmingham Opera Company, collaborative projects with the Royal Shakespeare Company, and the formation of an apprenticeship working group to support skills development.

Rachel Davis, Director of Warwick Enterprise, said:

“Through this collaboration, we’re strengthening the region’s identity as a creative and tech innovation hub. With a shared focus on inclusion and sustainability, CreaTech Frontiers will ensure diverse voices are at the forefront of this growing ecosystem.”

The West Midlands Combined Authority is also backing the initiative, which it believes could contribute £65 million and create 1,500 jobs by 2030 within the regional creative and gaming economy.

West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker added:

“Our region is full of bold, young thinkers pushing the boundaries of tech and creativity. CreaTech Frontiers connects these minds with the world-class research coming out of our universities, creating the conditions for global impact.”

Applications open Monday 2 June 2025.

Interested SMEs can register now

to be part of the next generation of CreaTech pioneers.

By Anushka Malhotra

2 May