IN A landscape already known for its duality of rave and reverie, Houghton Festival 2025 raises the bar with the announcement of two new major art commissions.
Set to deepen the festival’s already cosmic cross-pollination of music, sculpture and landscape, renowned multidisciplinary light artist Chris Levine and award-winning architecture studio EBBA are set to unveil new pieces during the four-day event. Adding to this already impressive line-up, Houghton’s founder, Craig Richards, will also expand his collection of site-specific art.
Set on the historic grounds of Houghton Hall in Norfolk, the estate’s land becomes a sensory playground. Born from the mind of Richards – an individual known as much for his eye as for his ears (but best known for his founding residency at London’s Fabric nightclub that spanned over 25 years) – the festival occupies the rare space where art and music seamlessly coexist.
Chris Levine, Artist render of VW Van element of FULL BEAM, courtesy of the artist
Canadian-born Chris Levine, hailed for his innate ability to combine light, frequency and sound within art, and most recognisably for his portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, returns to Houghton following his celebrated solo show in 2021. This year, he brings with him three new installations.
The centrepiece? FULL BEAM – a kinetic laser work set across the stately home’s lake featuring a chromed-out vintage VW campervan as its surrealist nucleus that comes to life as lasers, tuned to 528Hz frequency, lighting it up. Alongside this work, HIGHER POWER, a beam of laser that arches over the festival, and LIGHT is LOVE, a cryptic visual echo using Levine’s “blipvert” imaging technique flashing text, will add to the already impressive display.
EBBA Design Render, Pulse 2025
The second commission taps into a quieter, though no less ambitious, frequency. London-based studio EBBA, spearheaded by Benni Allan, brings us Pulse – a permanent installation that quite literally listens to the forest. Using sensors to capture bioelectric signals from trees, the piece translates the data into pulses of light and ambient sound, creating a dialogue between nature and humans.
Architecturally, it will take form as an elevated canopy that is not just designed for the festival but will become a long-term resident that will evolve with the seasons. As an ode to interconnectivity, it cements the notion that Houghton is more than just a party; it’s a place that reminds you to present.
Tree Comes Down, Andrew Goes Up
The curator himself, Craig Richards, is taking a moment to remember the late Andrew Weatherall, a guiding spirit of the UK dance scene, with a permanent home for a sculpture that pays tribute to his legacy. Titled Tree Comes Down, Andrew Goes Up, this piece, a part of the ever-expanding art collection, will live above a fallen tree near the Pavilion dancefloor, close to the bar, where he was often found during the festival.
Touching upon the hope to create a space that celebrates all forms of art, Richards states: “From the outset Houghton has always been an arts and music festival. Whilst the music has clearly defined itself the arts programme continues to grow as the festival itself evolves. We are committed to presenting new works every year”.
As the 2025 edition fast approaches, these commissions expand the territory of the festival, exploring the liminal space of sensation and reflection. If the dance floors are places to lose yourself, then these pieces will help you find hidden parts of yourself.
by Imogen Clark