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Festival of Lights: Quito's Historical Center Bathed in Color

IN PICTURES: The meticulously-preserved architecture of Ecuador's capital is being "renovated" by 3-D video projections – with impressive results.

Quiteños, tourists, and those attending the U.N. Habitat III conference were treated to a visual feast as the historic center of the Ecuadorean capital – the first UNESCO World Heritage city – became an architectural canvas for a bi-national collaboration of artists from France and the Andean country.

A localized adaptation of the French city of Lyon's Fête des Lumières, Quito's Fiesta de la Luz involves 3-D imagery that has been mapped to create augmented, digitally-rendered visuals that are fully adapted to the complex surfaces on which they are projected – in this case, the ornate colonial-era churches, convents, and museums for which the city is famous.

Buildings came alive as spectral Indigenous figures emerged from the baroque walls of churches and angels ascended to the bell towers, soon making way for dancing floral patterns and intricate designs that wrapped themselves around the Rennaissance-era columns and archways of the historical center.

Showcased landmarks included the Plaza Hermano Miguel, Plaza del Teatro, Plaza Santo Domingo, Capilla Museo de la Ciudad, Iglesia de La Compañía, Plaza La Merced, Centro Cultural Metropolitano.

teleSUR takes a look at Quito's brilliant Festival of Light.

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The Festival of Lights involved highly creative and artistic lighting alongside powerful projected imagery, giving buildings a sense of life.
The Festival of Lights involved highly creative and artistic lighting alongside powerful projected imagery, giving buildings a sense of life. Photo:teleSUR / Michael Fox
Thousands risked being soaked during Ecuador's rainy season to view the free show in the historic center of Quito. Luckily, the rain has typically subsided right before the show.
Thousands risked being soaked during Ecuador's rainy season to view the free show in the historic center of Quito. Luckily, the rain has typically subsided right before the show. Photo:teleSUR / Michael Fox
The colors of the Sucre National Theatre alternated while lights danced across the walls to a musical accompaniment.
The colors of the Sucre National Theatre alternated while lights danced across the walls to a musical accompaniment. Photo:teleSUR / Michael Fox
Sucre National Theatre in red.
Sucre National Theatre in red. Photo:teleSUR / Michael Fox
One of the oldest opera houses in South America, the theater was built between 1879 and 1886.
One of the oldest opera houses in South America, the theater was built between 1879 and 1886. Photo:teleSUR / Michael Fox
The site is an important venue for theatrical and grand orchestral performances.
The site is an important venue for theatrical and grand orchestral performances. Photo:teleSUR / Michael Fox
From 1994 to 2003, the theater was closed before reopening with a performance of Rigoletto, Giuseppe Verdi's classical dramatic rendition of a Victor Hugo play.
From 1994 to 2003, the theater was closed before reopening with a performance of Rigoletto, Giuseppe Verdi's classical dramatic rendition of a Victor Hugo play. Photo:teleSUR / Michael Fox
One of the most impressive displays was the re-imagined Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús, or Church of the Society of Jesus.
One of the most impressive displays was the re-imagined Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús, or Church of the Society of Jesus. Photo:teleSUR / Michael Fox
The intricate detailing of the Jesuit church, constructed from gray volcanic stone, was already extravagant.
The intricate detailing of the Jesuit church, constructed from gray volcanic stone, was already extravagant. Photo:teleSUR / Michael Fox
The
The "Chromolithe" light art gave the impression that the projection-mapping was, in fact, a detailed new paint job. Photo:teleSUR / Michael Fox
The method, known as the Chromolithe Polychromatic Illumination System, was revolutionized by French artist Patrice Warrener.
The method, known as the Chromolithe Polychromatic Illumination System, was revolutionized by French artist Patrice Warrener. Photo:teleSUR / Michael Fox
Locals and tourists packed the Plaza Santo Domingo as the winged
Locals and tourists packed the Plaza Santo Domingo as the winged "Virgen de El Panecillo" looms above the historical center. Photo:teleSUR / Michael Fox
One of the most impressive shows took place at the Church of Santo Domingo.
One of the most impressive shows took place at the Church of Santo Domingo. Photo:teleSUR / Michael Fox
Floral patterns and insects took over the walls of the church, one of the most important in Quito's history.
Floral patterns and insects took over the walls of the church, one of the most important in Quito's history. Photo:teleSUR / Michael Fox
The church glowed pink as peacock feathers danced across the surface of the neoclassical structure.
The church glowed pink as peacock feathers danced across the surface of the neoclassical structure. Photo:teleSUR / Michael Fox
Citrus fruits, spiders, pre-Hispanic statues and angels covered the walls of the impressive building.
Citrus fruits, spiders, pre-Hispanic statues and angels covered the walls of the impressive building. Photo:teleSUR / Michael Fox
The spectacular projected imagery created an illusion of depth.
The spectacular projected imagery created an illusion of depth. Photo:teleSUR / Michael Fox
Fireworks projected across the wall closed out the extravaganza.
Fireworks projected across the wall closed out the extravaganza. Photo:teleSUR / Michael Fox
Published 18 October 2016
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