70 floating diyas in Amsterdam

In 2023, Vibhor Sogani introduced Amsterdam to his Pool of Dreams, featuring 100 mirror-finished stainless steel orbs. The installation was an instant hit at the Amsterdam Light Festival (ALF) 2023, which featured 20 diverse light artworks, both from renowned and emerging artists. The theme then was ‘Revealing Art, AI and Tech’ and Sogani said he chose to embrace an optimistic perspective over the fears surrounding technology.

When ALF 2024 opened last November, Sogani was once again on the list of 27 artists. This time the brief was ‘Rituals’, and he chose to channel India’s festival of lights and memories of his mother lighting her diyas. Sogani transformed the Herengracht canal with his Deepam installation – 70 handcrafted lanterns in polished brass, a reminder of the flickering oil lamps synonymous with Diwali celebrations. At the festival that ends on January 19, 2025, artists present diverse styles and experimental approaches, some of them large projections on historic buildings, some 3-D forms, where light plays gracefully across their surfaces. Sogani’s lamps glow along in harmony. More from the award-winning artist and designer who is remembered in Delhi for his stainless steel Sprouts installation (on the AIIMS flyover):

With Diwali celebrations going mainstream around the world last year, was your diya inspiration a foregone conclusion?

The brief from ALF 2024 revolved around creating an immersive artwork that would resonate with both local and international audiences. They were particularly interested in works that reflect cultural heritage while incorporating innovation in design and materials. I saw this as an opportunity to pay homage to the ancient Indian ritual of lighting diyas, while also showcasing the universal nature of this practice, which transcends cultures and brings warmth and positivity. The inspiration for this piece blossomed from a memory of my mother, gently lighting a diya each evening. A simple act, yet filled with profound meaning. As a child, I didn’t fully grasp the depth of this ritual, but with time, I began to see how it quietly threaded itself into the fabric of my life. This deep connection to such a humble, yet powerful ritual, ultimately became the soul of the installation.

The lanterns are spread across 100 meters of the canal. Tell us about the hidden challenges?

The entire process took close to a year. The floating mechanism and the flame-like lighting effect took six to seven months to perfect. One of the main challenges was ensuring the lanterns remained stable despite fluctuations in the canal’s water level. To solve this, the ALF team created a sophisticated underwater framework similar to a buoyancy system to accommodate the rise and fall of the water. It was a demanding yet incredibly fulfilling journey that blended technical ingenuity with artistic expression.

How have audiences been reacting to this installation? Is it visible during daylight?

People seem to connect deeply with the work because it isn’t abstract. It is a tangible, relatable piece that evokes memories of Indian river ghats and rituals like Diwali. I recall a brief meeting with a local visitor who had recently visited the ghats in Varanasi. He stood in quiet awe by the Herengracht canal, deeply moved by the sight of the lights drifting by. What amazed me was how the installation remains captivating even during the day, under the Amsterdam sky. Despite the bright sunlight, the lanterns continue to glow gently, maintaining their symbolic presence and adding a quiet, almost ethereal quality to the space.

What was your first installation at ALF 2023 about?

Pool of Dreams was an ethereal light installation featuring over 100 stainless-steel orbs. This work explored the intersection of art, light, and technology while addressing the evolving role of AI and technological advancements in shaping our lives. It invited viewers to reflect on technology’s potential for positive transformation and its influence on our shared future. The installation went on to be featured at the Aarhus Festival, one of the largest cultural events in Scandinavia.

What is your message to visitors who are inspired to add some art to their landscapes via lighting.

Creating art installations like this requires a balance of creativity and practicality. Consider the time of day and how light behaves in different conditions, whether it’s sunlight or under the night sky. Using materials that reflect light well and create an immersive effect can elevate the experience. Also, think about the technical aspects, like securing your lights in place and allowing for natural movements in the space, as I did with the floating lanterns.

Where can we see some of your impressive new installations this year? 

In India, I’ll be exhibiting in Mumbai and Kolkata, and I’m also working on a large permanent installation for a public space in Gujarat. Internationally, I have an event in London and two major public art projects in the UAE.

ALF has commissioned Sogani to create 75 more lanterns, which are for sale in Amsterdam.