Artful Light- and Sound-Installation in Under Ground Hall

Lighting Art Installation: »LIGHT DIVE« – 20th Anniversary of Munich’s biggest rain storage reservoir

In the centre of Munich, directly beneath us there are impressive rain retention basins with vast dimensions. One of those domes lies underneath the Hirschgarten and for one day served as the stage of a breath-taking light- and sound installation.

The municipal drainage operations of Munich opened its doors for visitors. Visitors could inspect the vast halls while the halls were simultaneously put in the limelight by a mystical and artful light and sound installation.

The light installation »Light Dive« simulated flowing water and explained the system of the retention basis in an artistic manner. The flow of light was accompanied musically by the Munich tenor Andreas Staubinger.

The light enactment was structured into four phases:
Green and blue light starts to light up in the back of the basin of the lowest level, simulating flowing water.
The flowing light penetrates the openings and overflows the threshold. Blue light streams plunge in swirling movements downwards, similar to a waterfall.
The movement creates fog that rises along the wall. The entire hall is enriched with blue light in gentle flowing motion.
The basin fills up and is gently deprived of the light. The light-gauge descends and the water is gradually returned to its natural system.

All phases of the light-installation are accompanied by the classical tenor Andreas Stauber with excerpts of Lohengrin, an opera by Richard Wagner.

Numbers and Facts of the Retention Basin

The retention basin underneath the Hirschgarten is the largest in Munich and at the same time Germanys largest construction of its kind. There are a total of 13 retention basins in Munich with a total capacity of 703.000 m³ for rainwater. The rain retention basins form an important assistance in the water protection and contribute greatly to a cleaner environment and the wellbeing of Munich´s citizens.*

*Source: Münchener Stadtentwässerung

We would like to extend our special thanks to the entire mbeam team (Nicole, Laure and Robert), to  LiveCo (Tilo, Julian, Tom…), to the Münchner Stadtentwässerung , Michael Buchmann (Film) and to Andreas Stauber (Vocals).

The German Prize for Lighting Design 2017 – Shortlist

ProjectCity of Munich - Idea, concept, production and implementation