Will Simpson

Practice · Direction, Projection Design, Creative Direction, Editor · 2014–2023

Theatre of Illumination

Black-and-white projection mapping reimagining Leeds Civic Hall as a city of the future.

My role: Direction, Projection Design, Creative Direction, Editor

Leeds Civic Hall becomes the starting point for a journey through shifting geometric landscapes. Black-and-white patterns follow its columns, windows and towers, then play with their depth and scale, making the familiar facade appear to unfold into other spaces.

Creative direction, design and editing by Will Simpson, with 3D and motion design by Julien Lasson and music and sound by Lee J. Malcolm (Vessels) and Tom Hopkins (New Build). Commissioned by Leeds Inspired for Light Night Leeds, the installation premiered in 2014 and returned to Civic Hall in 2023.

The work was featured in Bright 2, published by Frame.

Installation photographs

Projection across the facade of Leeds Civic Hall
Pl. 01 Projection across the facade of Leeds Civic Hall
Projection across the facade of Leeds Civic Hall
Pl. 02 Projection across the facade of Leeds Civic Hall
Projection across the facade of Leeds Civic Hall
Pl. 03 Projection across the facade of Leeds Civic Hall
Projection across the facade of Leeds Civic Hall
Pl. 04 Projection across the facade of Leeds Civic Hall
Projection across the facade of Leeds Civic Hall
Pl. 05 Projection across the facade of Leeds Civic Hall
Projection across the facade of Leeds Civic Hall
Pl. 06 Projection across the facade of Leeds Civic Hall
Projection across the facade of Leeds Civic Hall
Pl. 07 Projection across the facade of Leeds Civic Hall
Projection across the facade of Leeds Civic Hall
Pl. 08 Projection across the facade of Leeds Civic Hall
Projection across the facade of Leeds Civic Hall
Pl. 09 Projection across the facade of Leeds Civic Hall
Projection across the facade of Leeds Civic Hall
Pl. 10 Projection across the facade of Leeds Civic Hall
Projection across the facade of Leeds Civic Hall
Pl. 11 Projection across the facade of Leeds Civic Hall
Projection across the facade of Leeds Civic Hall
Pl. 12 Projection across the facade of Leeds Civic Hall
Credits
  • Projection installation
  • Creative Direction, Design & Edit
    Will Simpson
  • 3D & Motion Design
    Julien Lasson
  • Music and Sound
    Lee J. Malcolm (Vessels) and Tom Hopkins (New Build)
  • Projection
    QED
  • Commissioned by
    Abby Dix-Mason and Jane Earnshaw, Leeds Inspired
  • Location
    Leeds, UK