The Shadows of Sant Esteve

“Lluèrnia – Fire and light Festival” is an event that takes place in the town of Olot during one night every November. More than 50 light installations adorn the streets and squares during this special annual tradition of the region.

Anna & Eugeni Bach’s installation was performed on the Plaza del Rector Ferrer, at the front facade of the church of Sant Esteve. Due to the topography of the square, the church, located at the highest end, has a podium which is accessed from a central staircase and from side ramps, creating a small elevated pedestrian walkway from the rest of the square.

This location, turns this space into a theater, where the facade of the church is the stage. Because of the elevated position, few people use the walkway other than when accessing the church. The proposal creates a lightweight pergola that plays with light in two different ways: during the day, the walkway becomes a space where the shadow of the pergola outlines the shape of the ground and the church façade, turning the space into a surprising threshold; at night, illuminated from inside, the installation arouses the curiosity of the locals and attracts them to  walk through, casting their shadows and making them a part of the show.

The Shadows of Sant Esteve, Lluèrnia – Fire and light Festival, Olot, Girona, Spain
Program: installation
Architects: Anna & Eugeni Bach
Collaborators: Albert Cabrer, Maria Ibáñez, architects
Special thanks to: Xevi Bayona, Montserrat Planella, Esteve Planella and Joan Carles Roqué
Area: 90 sqm
Cost: 250€
Completion: 2015