LED-lit pigeons to be released into the London sky in the name of art

More than 1,500 pigeons strapped with LED lights will be released into the sky this month as part of a London arts festival.

LIFT Festival – also known as the London International Festival of Theatre – will host the outdoor performance artwork by American artist Duke Riley this weekend.

Fly By Night was premiered by Riley in New York in 2016, but the spectacle is being reworked for its new location in Thamesmead, with an aim to highlighting the crucial role of the much-maligned birds as messengers in the First World War.

The area which was formerly home to the Royal Arsenal, will see the birds released into the sky over the River Thames, lighting up the summer evening.

LIFT, a biannual festival which runs throughout June, celebrates London’s diversity by exploring the experiences of individuals and communities through cutting edge theatre and art.

Fly By Night has been realised as a collaboration with Greenwich+Docklands International Festival, 14-18 NOW – an arts organisation commemoration the war’s centenary – and the 50th anniversary of Thamesmead.

For more information, visit liftfestival.com