Odyssey – Blackpool’s Biggest Illumination!

It’s a spectacular interactive display. Co-created by international designer Jack Irving in collaboration with a highly-talented team of computer scientists from Lancaster University. Take a look at Odyssey – Blackpool’s Biggest Illumination!

The completed installation includes six large-scale towers combined with state-of-the-art technology. It’s an immersive projection show, themed on undiscovered creatures lurking in the depths of the deep sea.

Many thanks to Visit Fylde Coast contributor Barrie C. Woods for the photos on this page showing the first parts of it illuminated.

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What’s Odyssey? It’s Blackpool’s Biggest Illumination!

The biggest standalone light installation ever created for Blackpool Illuminations has brought a futuristic feel to the famous Golden Mile.

The towers comprise varying designs based on sea gods from Greek mythology: Poseidon, Aphrodite, and Amphitrite. Together they create an immersive projection show themed on undiscovered creatures lurking in the depths of the deep sea.

Through real-time interactive projection mapping on the floor of the Promenade you’ll discover alien sea creatures as they swim, swirl and sway around your feet. The Odyssey towers incorporate 60 powerful lasers and a dramatic sound and light show.

Through advanced technology, no two experiences are the same as the projector maps individual movements and reflects back a customised projection. It’s a unique and dynamic encounter for each person. It marks a new era of interactivity for the illuminations, where you’ll not only see the lights, but feel a part of it.

Aphrodite is the tallest of the towers, at an impressive 7 metres wide, and 11 metres high!

We went to take a look when the first tower was installed in place. It’s a big ‘un!

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Five futuristic facts about Odyssey:

• There are over 10,000 lines of code for the interactive elements of Odyssey
• In excess of 2,500 hours have been spent on developing the code, simulation and testing
• Each tower contains a Panasonic 20k projector, a raspberry Pi and camera
• Over 32 tonnes of steel has been used for the skeleton of the towers
• 2,400 LED nodes and over 3,500 metres of LED lighting has been used in the display

Made in Blackpool

The full Odyssey experience has been manufactured here in Blackpool. Made at the Illuminations Lightworks factory, it’s taken more than two years to design and build. Installation began on Friday 14 October and the preview of the first four towers launched on Friday 21 October for Lightpool Festival.

The installation will be on display until 2 January 2023.

Blackpool Council has received investment from the Towns Fund which has helped with the creation of Odyssey. The funding is aimed at rejuvenating the Illuminations. And developing new concepts to attract new generations of visitors.

Making Odyssey – Blackpool’s Biggest Illumination!

In 2019 Blackpool Illuminations created a new design competition where the winner would create their design to feature in the Illuminations display. The competition was part funded by the Arts Council. Blackpool Illuminations creative curator Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen chaired the panel of judges. He decided to award the prize to joint winners, with Jack Irving providing the creative content and Professor Finney’s team at Lancaster University providing the technical expertise.

Artist Jack grew up in Blackpool and produced costumes for the Hot Ice show at Blackpool Pleasure Beach. He’s since gone on to specialise in extravagant, wearable art sculptures and create amazing costume designs for the likes of Lady Gaga.

Through his creative vision and innovative flair, Jack designed the giant alien sea Gods for Odyssey. He also developed the overall concept for the installation.

Lancaster University is one of the top universities in the UK. Their team of computer scientists have provided the technological expertise required for this mammoth project. The technology has brought Jack’s creatures to life, adding a new dimension never before seen before in the Illuminations display.

The impressive installation would not have come to life without the highly skilled and experienced production team at Blackpool Illuminations. Combined with monies from the Towns Fund to invest in cutting-edge technology.