THE FESTIVAL

WHAT’S NEW

city of media arts

BBBank Award

FAQ

Impressions

About us

Contact

THE FESTIVAL

Light art on the Karlsruhe Palace

Light art on the Karlsruhe Palace

The Schlosslichtspiele were founded by Peter Weibel, the artistic-scientific director of the Centre for Art and Media (ZKM), as part of the Globale Digitale to celebrate the 300th birthday of the city of Karlsruhe in 2015. In that year the city hosted a festival summer entitled KA300. 

The city of Karlsruhe – known for its radiating layout – is also known as the fan-shaped city. According to Weibel, the palace, which forms the centre of this floor plan, was the obvious choice as the central starting point for reflections on urban architecture. The video mappings refer to the façade of the palace, which houses the Badisches Landesmuseum, and the history of the city.

Particular attention is paid to the interaction between visitors and the light shows that the Lichtspiele embody – by means of games or movements, visitors become part of the choreography conceived by the artists. 

On the strength of the positive feedback to the Schlosslichtspiele 2015, Karlsruhe City Council decided to continue the format under the artistic direction of ZKM Karlsruhe in cooperation with KME Karlsruhe Marketing and Event GmbH.

WHAT’S NEW IN 2024

„Everybody counts“

More than ever, as the world seems increasingly polarised and embattled, we need to come together as people, to gather in a place where we all have a voice, where we are all respected and where we are all heard. That we are able to contribute and participate equally, with full rights and fearless hearts, is the foundation of democracy. This is a place where everyone counts.

KARLSRUHE IS
UNESCO CITY OF MEDIA ARTS

THE SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELE AS A CENTRAL COMPONENT

THE SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELE AS A CENTRAL COMPONENT

In Karlsruhe, media art in its various forms is part of life: work and leisure structures, as well as public and institutional spaces offer citizens and guests the opportunity to submerse themselves into various inventive options for action, in the role of visitors and participants and beyond, to contribute to city life as collaborators.

As a booming IT location, Karlsruhe has an excellent and broad-based university and research landscape. This network and a historical cultural infrastructure of exceptional diversity for a city of its size combine with a flourishing cultural and creative economy.

Culture and creativity are important economic factors that generate sales, employment and income, shape future factors such as digitisation, and secure innovation. They open up future prospects for innovative and creative people who are trained at local universities. Culture and creativity bring people together and promote social cohesion. They shape structural change and have a positive impact on urban development. They make the city more attractive, improve its image, and attract national attention – in other words, they make the city a better place to live.

Joining the UNESCO Creative Cities Network gives Karlsruhe and the city's interest groups the opportunity to make new contacts, provide new impetus, and establish new connections to organisations and artists in UNESCO Creative Cities on all continents. Inclusion in the network will give the city renewed momentum and promote the dynamic development of creative innovations. Creativity is seen as a strategic factor for sustainable urban development.

The internal networking and integration of the different scenes facilitates the formation of an urban identity and make a more differentiated external profile possible. Membership strengthens international networking, cooperation and exchange at the international level between cultural institutions, artists, and specialists in digital culture and creative industries.

The city of Karlsruhe and its creative actors aim to get involved in the UNESCO Creative Cities network in a variety of ways and would like to take their innovations and expertise from the mutual relationship between media art and the areas of cultural and creative industries, IT, science and research, as well as democracy and fundamental rights to the member cities and contribute to the global context.

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BBBank-Award

in projection-mapping

in projection-mapping

Since 2021, the UNESCO City of Media Arts Karlsruhe has been presenting the BBBank Award in Projection Mapping to promote talent from all over the world and make their art accessible to a broad audience. The award, sponsored by BBBank, is endowed with 10,000 euros for first place (5,000 for second, 2,000 for third) as well as a production cost subsidy, thus enabling outstanding concepts to be realised as projection mappings on the 170-metre-wide "screen" of the SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELE Karlsruhe.

Die Preisträger des BBBank-Award 2023. Foto: KME/Jürgen Rösner

All previous winners of the BBBank-Award:

2024:

1st place: Julia Shamsheieva with „Liberty Enlightening the World“
2nd place: Studio Julian Hölscher with „Letters of liberty“
3rd place: John Tettenborn (Resorb) und Kourtney Lara Ross mit „Discourse“

2023: BHINNEKA EXPRESS, AI + GA, HUMANITY, For headlights crave hindsight too

2022: Resilience, Reframing the Structures, Plethora

2021: Karlskompensator, Ganesis, Nucleus

FAQ

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELE KARLSRUHE

+ What are the SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELE?

The SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELE Karlsruhe is a festival for projection mapping. Projection mapping is a form of media art in which customized video projections are projected onto an object. International artists develop 3D video mappings for the SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELE, which are projected onto the façade of Karlsruhe Palace - every evening for several weeks. The result is one of the largest audiovisual digital works of art in Europe.

The program changes regularly and there are always several shows running consecutively on one evening. The SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELE Karlsruhe took place for the first time in 2015 to celebrate the city's 300th birthday and delighted the audience. Since then, they have taken place every summer. The images of the SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELE go around the world.

+ When and where do the SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELE take place?

The SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELE Karlsruhe are a summer event and take place on Schlossplatz Karlsruhe. This year, the SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELE will take place every evening after dark from August 15 to September 15. The projection mappings start daily at 9:30 pm in August and at 8:30 pm in September. A detailed schedule can be found on site during the SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELE and on the website under "Program".

Start:

From Thursday, 15 August 2024
21:15

From Sunday, 18 August 2024
21:00

From Sunday, 25 August 2024
20:45

From Sunday, 1 September 2024
20:30

From Sunday, 8 September 2024
20:15

End:

Sunday until Thursday ca. 23:15

Friday and Saturday ca. 23:45

+ Who organizes the SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELE?

The SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELE are a partner project of KME Karlsruhe Marketing und Event GmbH with the ZKM | Center for Art and Media Karlsruhe. The ZKM was founded in 1989 as a "digital Bauhaus" with the mission of continuing the classical arts into the digital age. It is a globally unique cultural institution that combines research and production, exhibitions and performances, collections and archives, mediation and events in its work.
The SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELE are financed by the City of Karlsruhe, partners and sponsors as well as income from catering on the Schlossplatz.

+ How do I get to the SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELEN?

We recommend arriving by bicycle or public transport. Bicycle parking is available on the Schlossplatz. The bus stop "Marktplatz" is only a few meters away from the castle.

Arrival by train

From Karlsruhe main station, streetcars and S-Bahn lines 2, S1, S4, S11 and S52 run to Marktplatz (Pyramide and Kaiserstrasse). From here it is only a 2-minute walk to Schlossplatz.

Arrival by car

Take the A5 towards Frankfurt/Basel or the A8 towards Stuttgart/Mannheim Frankfurt to reach Karlsruhe. After the "Zentrum" exit, follow the white signs marked "Schloss". You can park your car in the Schlossplatz underground garage or in the "Zirkel" parking garage (open 24 hours).

To interactive directions.

+ Parking Schlossplatz

Note on the parking situation at Schlossplatz:

Despite all efforts, the underground parking garage at Schlossplatz is still not barrier-free accessible due to a defective elevator. After consultation with the operator, this will also be the case for the entire duration of the SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELE Karlsruhe. The operator is trying to find a solution, but a repair in September is not possible due to delivery problems of the spare part. We therefore ask you to use the surrounding parking garages.

+ Do the SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELE cost admission?

No, admission is free. However, you have the opportunity to support the SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELE financially. In addition, income from catering at the castle also goes towards financing the SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELE.

+ Is there food and drink on the premises?

Catering is available on the Schlossplatz. Due to the central location of the venue, it is also a good idea to eat or shop in Karlsruhe city center before the SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELEN.


+ Can I bring a picnic blanket/camping chair?

Yes, the Schlossplatz is also open to the public during the SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELE. It is permitted to bring your own seating and picnic utensils.

For safety reasons and out of consideration for other guests, we ask that you refrain from bringing bulky and visually impairing items.

+ Do the SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELE also take place in bad weather?

In principle, the SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELE Karlsruhe shows run in all weathers. However, if there are safety concerns, e.g. due to thunderstorms or strong winds/storms, the shows may be interrupted or canceled at short notice. We will inform you about this on our social media channels and on site.

+ Is the site barrier-free?

Karlsruhe Palace Square is accessible without barriers. Please note that the grounds include green areas and gravel paths. There is a platform with good visibility for wheelchair users in front of a guard's house in the courtyard of honor (at the front of the palace). Wheelchair-accessible toilets are available.

+ Where can I get more information?

Information about the SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELEN can be found online on the website www.schlosslichtspiele.info, on Facebook (@schlosslichtspielekarlsruhe) and on Instagram. There will be an information container on Schlossplatz during the performance period, which will provide you with all the important information.

+ How large is the façade of the castle?

The castle façade measures 170 by 17 meters, which corresponds to an area of 10,800 x 1080 pixels. During the SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELEN, the south façade of Karlsruhe Palace becomes one of the largest screens in Germany.

+ Can I make cashless payments on site?

Card payment at the food and drink stands is planned, but you are on the safe side with cash. You will find ATMs in the immediate vicinity, e.g. on the market square.

+ May I photograph the light projection?

You are cordially invited to photograph the light projections. We would be delighted if you would capture the special atmosphere of the SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELE and share your impressions with us on Facebook or Instagram.

IMPRESSIONS

Impressions of Schlosslichtspiele KARLSRUHE 2023

CREDITS: JÜRGEN RÖSNER

Impressions of Schlosslichtspiele KARLSRUHE 2022

CREDITS: JÜRGEN RÖSNER

Impressions of SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELE Karlsruhe 2021

CREDITS: ARTIS - ULI DECK

Impressions of Light Festival Karlsruhe 2021

CREDITS: JÜRGEN RÖSNER

Impressions of Schlosslichtspiele KARLSRUHE 2019

CREDITS: ARTIS - ULI DECK

VIDEOS

Impressions of Schlosslichtspiele KARLSRUHE

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About us

Karlsruhe Marketing und Event GmbH and ZKM

CURATORIAL TEAM OF THE SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELE KARLSRUHE

f.l.t.r.: Sebastian Schneider (KME), Daniela Burkhardt (Head of Project Coordination UNESCO City of Media Arts), (Martin Wacker (Managing Director KME), Alistair Hudson (Scientific-Artistic Director ZKM I Center for Art and Media), Nina Wlodarczyk (ZKM).


KARLSRUHE MARKETING UND EVENT GMBH

Your central contact when it comes to big events in Karlsruhe. Events are a first-class communication tool. Emotionalization and the so-called “sense of unity” play a huge role in this and are used to create lasting bonds, business platforms, and a positive perception of the location.

www.karlsruhe-event.de


ZKM | Center for Art and Media KARLSRUHE

The ZKM | Center for Art and Media is a cultural institution that is unique worldwide, because it is a place that expands the original purposes of a museum. It is a place of all media and genres, of room-based arts, such as paintings, photography, and sculptures, as well as of time-based arts such as film, video, media art, music, dance, theater, and performance. The ZKM was founded in 1989 as a museum with the mission to perpetuate classic arts with the digital age. That is why it is sometimes also called the “electronic or digital Bauhaus” – an expression that is ascribed to Heinrich Klotz. Furthermore, the ZKM is also home to institutes and laboratories, in which people do scientific research, develop, and produce. Besides making sure that the original main idea of a museum, namely that works of art do not disappear, the ZKM has also taken over the task of creating the conditions for the creation of works of art – by guest artists and also by its employees. That is why it is called center and not museum.

www.zkm.de

Contact

questions or suggestions?

If you have any questions or suggestions for the “SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELE”, you can get in touch with our “SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELE” TEAM from the Karlsruhe Marketing und Event GmbH by Mail.
We will try to get back to you as soon as possible.

info_at_karlsruhe-event.de

With kind support

If you have problems with the display or the change of perspective on your device, you will also find the link to the livestream for the YouTube app on your mobile device or TV. If you have further problems, please take a look at our FAQ.

© 2024 KME Karlsruhe Marketing und Event GmbH