UK - New York design group Yellow Studio unveiled its newest large-scale installation Within Water, at the 2025 River of Light Festival in Liverpool. Taking place from 24 October to 2 November, the festival transformed the city’s waterfront into a walking trail of illuminated artworks and installations by national and international artists. Yellow Studio’s installation for this year’s edition is inspired by bioluminescence, exploring the relationship between water, light and human interaction.
Commissioned by Culture Liverpool, this year's installation was inspired by the festival's theme The Science of Light. Through a grid of programmable lights embedded beneath the water’s surface, the installation mimics the gentle glow and movement of bioluminescent algae, creating an illuminated current that shifts in colour and intensity.
The central sculptural element, a human hand, serves as a symbolic trigger, sparking a physical disturbance that activates the bioluminescent light in response to human touch, emphasising connection and interaction between people and their environment.
Within Water invites viewers to experience the vibrance, layers, and fluidity of light as it dances through water, blending natural phenomena with innovative technology. The installation celebrates water’s role as a driving force in Liverpool’s identity while engaging themes of transformation and community.
The installation was developed in close collaboration with Invisible Wind Factory, a Liverpool-based creative studio who designed and programmed the underwater lighting system, creating a 15-minute looping display that ripples across the water. The sculptural hand is fabricated by Propworks in London, who are known for large-scale works.
In addition to its public display, Yellow Studio hosted an educational workshop for local students, offering insights into the creative processes and the fusion of art and science that underpin the installation.
