WATERLICHT
Dream landscape about the power and poetry of water.
WATERLICHT is a dream landscape that explores the power and poetry of water. Using LEDs and lenses, it creates a virtual flood, illustrating how high the water level could rise.
WATERLICHT is a collective experience designed to remind us of the importance of water innovation and the impact of climate change.
Returning to the Netherlands after a world tour, WATERLICHT has been exhibited at prominent locations including Museumplein in Amsterdam, the United Nations in New York, Nuit Blanche in Paris, Kunsthal in Rotterdam, Jameel Arts Centre in Dubai, and Fremantle Biennale in Australia.
"WATERLICHT is an activator for a better future, highlighting the vulnerability and strength of living with water," says Daan Roosegaarde.
Winner of IESNYC Lumen Award New York 2020, Global Future Design Award 2019, LIT 2017 Lighting Designer of the Year USA and The Best Lighting Environment Design China.
2016-2022. LEDs, software, lenses, humidity, and site-specific location design.
WATERLICHT is dynamically influenced by wind and rain, drawing attention to rising global sea levels, which are expected to increase by 2 meters by 2100 due to climate change.*
WATERLICHT has been exhibited in 12 countries worldwide, welcoming more than 2 million visitors. Presentations include the City of Bilbao in Spain; Maasmechelen in Belgium; Loevestein Castle; Kunsthal Rotterdam; Museumplein in Amsterdam; Middelburg 800; UNESCO in Schokland, NL; Afsluitdijk, NL; and Waterschap Rijn en IJssel in Westervoort, NL. Internationally, WATERLICHT has appeared in Germany; at the Fremantle Biennale in Australia; Columbia University in New York; the United Nations Headquarters in New York; Jameel Arts Centre in Dubai; The Bentway in Toronto; Lumiere in London; Nuit Blanche in Paris; and UNESCO in Madrid.
*Source: www.climate.gov
Photography by Ossip van Duivenbode, Albert Dros, Daniel Verkijk, Pim Hendriksen, Roberto Conte, Daan Roosegaarde, and Mareen Meyer.
WATERLICHT movie by Media.Monks, directed by Jan Kooyman.
Select Exhibitions
WATERLICHT United Nations NY
March 22, 2018
WATERLICHT Kunsthal Rotterdam
October 25, 2018
WATERLICHT Madrid
October 21, 2017
WATERLICHT Oberhausen
November 5, 2021
WATERLICHT London Lumiere
January 18, 2018
WATERLICHT Loevestein Castle
March 25, 2022
WATERLICHT Tampa Florida
October 28, 2023
WATERLICHT Maasmechelen
September 29, 2023
WATERLICHT Westervoort
February 26, 2015
WATERLICHT Leeuwarden
February 1, 2018
WATERLICHT Dubai
November 11, 2018
WATERLICHT Toronto
October 12, 2018
WATERLICHT Amsterdam
May 11, 2015
WATERLICHT Afsluitdijk
September 2, 2016
WATERLICHT UNESCO Schokland
December 28, 2015
WATERLICHT Winnats Pass UK
September 21, 2017
WATERLICHT Fremantle Australia
November 1, 2019
WATERLICHT Colombia New York
October 22, 2019
WATERLICHT Noor Riyadh
November 4, 2022
WATERLICHT Bilbao
September 18, 2025
Exhibitions
October 2, 2026
WATERLICHT Bradford United Kingdom
WATERLICHT transforms the city of Bradford into waves of blue light, revealing rising sea levels. Welcome 5–7 November as part of the legacy of Bradford UK City of Culture.
Exhibitions
September 29, 2026
WATERLICHT Dublin
WATERLICHT transforms Dublin into waves of blue light for Science Week, revealing the power and poetry of water. Experience it 12–14 November.
Exhibitions
September 27, 2025
WATERLICHT in Bilbao
Our new WATERLICHT arrives in Bilbao with waves of blue light, an immersive experience at Itsasmuseum in Spain highlighting the beauty of living with water and the reality of rising sea levels caused by climate change. Join us 18–20 September, 21:30–00:00. Free entrance.