'Saint Elmo's Fire'

Artist: David Ward
Location: Claremont and South Piers, Lowestoft, Suffolk

In 2001, artist David Ward was appointed to create a contemporary lighting work for Lowestoft’s Claremont and South Piers’. He worked in partnership with ACT Consultant Services to create his interactive commission entitled ‘Saint Elmo’s Fire’ which comprises two identical arrays of twenty lights mounted at the tips of masts of varying heights arranged in irregular clusters along both piers. The light points are illuminated individually at different times producing a soft blinking, yet vivid visual effect. To the viewer, the piers appear to be communicating with each other across the intervening stretch of water.

David Ward’s inspiration for the work came from the glow of light sometimes seen at the tips of masts of ships. This fleeting, natural phenomenon caused by particular atmospheric conditions producing points of light, can also sometimes be seen on other prominent points such as church steeples. Named after one of the patron saints of the sea, it was nautical association to this phenomenon sometimes known as Saint Elmo’s Fire that gave rise to the title of his installation.

The project, which formed part of Lowestoft’s environmental improvement programme, was commissioned by Waveney District Council with the co-operation of the Association of British Ports and the pier owners, and was managed by Commissions East. Funding came from the European Development Fund and the Regional Arts Lottery Programme.