Portland Winter Light Festival

The author at Mihaly's Gate

The Portland Winter Light Festival reminds me why I love Portland.

For 3 nights in early February, artists’ creations from petite to enormous adorn the pedestrian paths on both sides of the Willamette River with mesmerizing colored lights and fire, with displays that respond to movement or sound, with undulating shapes and colors projected on the sides of bridges and buildings.  Volunteers outfitted in outlandish illuminated capes and hats and glow-fingered gloves pull crazy contraptions through the crowd, soliciting donations to keep this annual event free. 

Twinkle Trees

Families are out en masse, with kids and dogs who dance and pose among the inventive light-inspired installations, utterly undeterred by the light drizzle.  We need this sparkle in February, a month traditionally known for ice storms and winter white skies. Thursday evening wasn’t too cold, and the wind was light, and the mood was festive on the east side of the river.

One of my favorite sights was the Twinkle Trees in a succession of colors, first shocking pink, then sun yellow, neon blue, gaudy green.  Each tree monochromatic and covered with flowers or gingko leaves and framing the view of the west bank of the river, where other neon colored objects beckoned.

Crystal Evolution

As we meandered south past OMSI we encountered Crystal Evolution, a color-changing work in metal with lights and fire.  In the words of artist Kay Sims, “crystals grow and tentacles reach out from an alien seed pod filled with flame.”  That didn't deter people from gathering around it to warm their hands and bodies.

An installation called Waking Revery features the reflection and

Waking Revery

refraction of light within a multi-layered octahedron.  Creator TVA Architects describes it as a portal between consciousness and sleep, where “familiar sights morph into abstract expressions.  Concrete objects are dematerialized, while the vivid colors of dreams come to life.”

Throughout the city, there are more than 100 illuminated art installations, dozens of live events, and numerous kinetic fire sculptures during the festival.  

Perhaps that gives you a taste of the whimsy and magic of this nocturnal event.  It’s Portland eclectic, Portland gathering and glittering, Portland aglow.  It's the Portland I love.