Lumenaura To Transform Downtown Aurora Into 'Glowing Playground' For 2nd Year

AURORA, IL — For the second consecutive year, Lumenaura will transform downtown Aurora into a "glowing playground of interactive art."

From Oct. 10-26, Lumenaura will bring together artists from the United States and across the world — including from Germany, Hungary, Canada and the United Kingdom — to give visitors an immersive art, light and sound experience.

Monochronical, an urban art and design studio that transforms public spaces through AI-enhanced technology, will curate the 2025 show, which will be free and open to the public. Lumenaura drew tens of thousands of visitors in its inaugural year in 2024, according to a news release.

"Lumenaura represents the future of public art, where cutting-edge technology enhances experiences and transforms audiences into part of the artwork itself," Iryna Kanishcheva, founder of Monochronicle, said in a statement. "We believe the art outcome depends on the process. This year, we are grateful to Aurora for embracing bold ideas, enabling us to present a diverse lineup, showcase innovation, and expand the festival’s impact."

During the exhibit's opening weekend, Oct. 10-12, Aurora will host the Lumenaura festival, which will feature Native American storytelling, live music, circus acts and wandering musicians. On the second weekend, Oct. 17-18, the city will host additional programming, including an all-ages silent disco party and the opening of "Illoominated II," a projection-mapping installation of lasers and projectors by West Coast-based Todd Moyer Designs.

Here's a look at what artworks will be on display for the second-annual Lumenaura:

• "Emergence" by ThisisLoop (United Kingdom): A mirrored immersive installation exploring chaos, order and emergent systems.
• "Bonfire" by LedBlade (Hungary): A pixel-controlled light sculpture with fog and smell, meant to create a communal and heartwarming atmosphere.
• "Threshold" by Daniel Murray/FuzzPop Workshop (United States): A water-inspired, interactive, large-scale inflatable sculpture blending interior and exterior spaces.
• "Quantum Jungle" by Robin Baumgarten (Germany): A playful, touch-sensitive visualization of quantum physics using LEDs and metal springs.
• "Illoominated 2" and "Laser Graffiti" by Todd Moyer (United States) – Interactive light experiences merging history, technology and community participation.
• "The Door" by BigArt (United States): An interactive portal exploring opportunity, change and human connection.
• "Enchanted Oasis" by Jeff Cason (United States): A multi-sensory transformation of a fountain plaza into a living, animated garden.
• "Up-Next" by Oliver Lewis (United States): A recycled plastic sculpture of a classic television set, letting the audience manipulate kaleidoscopic light.
• "Echoes of Connection" by Daniel Eller (United States): Nostalgic payphones where viewers can leave a message — You never know who's listening.
• "Vivid Volume" by Scott Boeing (United States): A dynamic 3D light grid that mirrors participants' movements in real time.
• "Interactive Video Wall" by Zenith Creative (United States): A multimedia installation blending lighting, sound and motion capture to spark playful interaction.
• "Invisible Currents, Projection Mapping" by Alina Nazmeeva (United States): Turning Aurora's architecture into an illuminated storytelling canvas and living gardens.
• "Planet Swamp" by Monochronicle Team (Collaborative): A surreal, multi-sensory lightscape combining fog-filled bubbles, lasers and sound for an immersive otherworld environment.
• "Laser Show" by Charles Alan Rye (Monochronicle Team): A laser-mapped light show that outlines the historical architecture of the Paramount Theatre.
• "Lux Arcana" by Crystal Wagner and Logan Luckey (United States): A human-controlled light sculpture installed on a Metra train car in service from Chicago to Aurora.