The largest light show in the country returns to Greater Cincinnati – The Northerner

BLINK, a free and lavish artistic collection of light and interactive art that brings together millions of people from around the world to showcase its center for arts and culture, will make its highly anticipated return to Cincinnati and New York for the first time in two years Northern Kentucky celebrates March 17-20 Oct.

The exhibition is presented and sponsored by ArtsWave, a local nonprofit organization that has funded concerts, artists, shows, arts education and more for nearly 100 years. The organization’s goal is to build an “inclusive and equitable community” so that artists can thrive in the region.

ArtsWave was founded in 1927 with a community grant from Anna Sinton and Charles Phelps Taft to ensure the future of the arts in the region. Since then, they have contributed to many unique projects over the years through grants to support various communities in Cincinnati and NKY.

Some of the most important shows they have co-sponsored since their inception include the nationally known BLINK, which celebrated its first event in 2017. The exhibition showcases projection mapping, intricate murals and innovative lighting technology throughout Cincinnati’s cityscape.

During its first year in the city, BLINK spanned 20 blocks and lasted four days from October 12th to 15th and was the brainchild of an earlier but popular light show called “Lumenocity.”

This smaller exhibition made its debut in Washington Park in 2013 and included light projections and a concert by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra to welcome the orchestra’s new music director, Louis Langré, according to WVXU News.

Lumenocity attracted nearly 50,000 attendees at its pioneering event and it took four years for BLINK’s idea to come to fruition.

According to Projection Lights and Staging News Magazine, Brave Berlin owners and partners Dan Reynolds and Steve McGowen discussed the possibility of starting BLINK with the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce for nearly two years.

After a while of planning and collaborating with artists and other projection companies like PRG, as well as event sponsors like ArtWorks and the Haile Foundation, BLINK finally took off and hosted its first-ever show in Cincinnati.

This first year was crucial for the creators of BLINK, kicking off the 2017 event with a parade of lights that walked down Vine Street from Findlay Market to Washington Park. Over 60 interactive art sculptures, projection mapping and murals, and other light-based displays were also featured, with around 30 artists performing on stages during the day’s celebrations.

Two years later, in 2019, BLINK was back and better than ever, stretching 30 blocks to Cincinnati and across the river to Covington for the first time. Other artists and installations were on display, including the world’s largest mobile disco ball shimmering in the Music Hall and extravagant lights projected onto the facade of the Roebling Bridge.

However, plans for the 2021 show would soon stall after the COVID-19 pandemic brought the world to a standstill.

With an Instagram post dated March 20, 2020, the founders expressed their sincerity and hope for the possibility of a show the following year, stating: “Now more than ever, our bright future city must be united and remember who we are. “ We invite you to share with us your fondest memory of BLINK, not to dwell on the past, but as a reminder of what is possible when we stand united, and of the better days to come.”

Almost a full year later, in March 2021, BLINK returned with a post on Instagram announcing the city’s approval of another exhibition in October 2022. Lovers of the exhibition took to social media to express their unanimous anticipation.

Now in 2024, BLINK will enthusiastically return to the region with a roster of some of the most talented regional, national and global artists.

According to a press release from BLINK about this year’s upcoming celebrations, they said they had “2.1 million visitors and $126 million in direct economic impact to the Cincinnati region in 2022,” after the previous year during the had suffered a severe financial setback due to the pandemic.

The event spans 35 blocks from Findlay Market in Cincinnati to Covington and lasts four days. BLINK will highlight more lighting technology and displays than ever before, making it a must-watch.

“Cincinnati is a place where people can come together, meet and discuss new ideas. The city comes to life at night, and I’m really excited about the idea of ​​more people having the opportunity to experience and participate,” said returning BLINK executive director Justin Brookhart in a statement. “BLINK is an invitation for people across the country and around the world to experience Cincinnati as a fully immersive and innovative destination.”