LUMENAURA 2025: Immersive Light Festival Curated by Monochronicle
September 22, 2025 0 106

LUMENAURA, Powered By IBEW Locals 461 & 701, Lights Up Aurora: Monochronicle Set to Curate Second Annual Immersive Art & Light Festival

Pioneering AI-Enhanced Public Art Platform Curates International Artist Network for Downtown Aurora’s Luminous Transformation

Aurora, IL — October 10–26, 2025

From October 10–26, 2025, Aurora, Illinois’ second-largest city, will be transformed into a luminous playground as Monochronicle curates the second annual LUMENAURA festival—an immersive art, light, and sound experience powered by IBEW Locals 461 & 701. Spanning the entire downtown and free and open to the public, the festival follows a debut year that drew tens of thousands of visitors of all ages to experience cutting-edge immersive art in public spaces. Monochronicle has assembled a roster of national and international artists from the United Kingdom, Germany, Hungary, Canada, and across the United States. The 2025 theme, Convergence, explores where art, technology, and community meet to create shared experiences—featuring interactive highlights such as responsive light sculptures, laser graffiti, enchanted fountains, train-car installations, rooftop laser shows, and works that react to human presence and environmental stimuli. 

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“LUMENAURA represents the future of public art, where cutting-edge technology enhances experiences and transforms audiences into part of the artwork itself. 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.”

— Iryna Kanishcheva, Founder of Monochronicle

Opening Weekend Programming
(October 10–12)

LUMENAURA Festival Weekend will feature three nights of live concerts sponsored by IBEW Locals 461 & 701 Main Stage at the Parking Lot Q, featuring Motown Nation, Sixteen Candles, Sin Anestesia, Selena the Show, Fearless – A

Tribute to Taylor Swift, and Hairbangers Ball. The official opening of the festival will be on Friday, October 10, at 5 P.M. at The Mayan (77 S. Stolp Ave, Aurora, Illinois) with a Native ceremony led by the Firekeeper, who will ignite the “Bonfire” LED sculpture. The celebration continues on Saturday, October 11 with a drum circle, storytelling, and traditional songs, honoring Indigenous history while converging with futuristic art. Gates for LUMENAURA Fest Weekend musical performances will open one hour prior to bands starting each day. 

Second Weekend Highlights
(October 17–18)

  • All-Ages Silent Disco Party
  • Illoominated II by Todd Moyer Designs — an innovative projection-mapped installation of lasers and projectors

The festival also offers youth engagement, including a workshop where young participants explore fundamentals of 3D design and animation with award-winning artist Alina Nazmeeva.

Accessibility & Inclusion

Accessibility and inclusivity remain central to LUMENAURA. 90% of the artwork is ADA accessible. The event will feature a soothing space for sensory-sensitive visitors, ASL interpretation, select works with audio description, and golf-cart transportation for mobility needs. Designated pathways between installations support all visitors, including those using wheelchairs.

“The City of Aurora is proud to present LUMENAURA as an accessible and inclusive event for all our residents and visitors… By prioritizing accessibility in both design and delivery, LUMENAURA invites everyone to explore, engage, and enjoy the wonder of light together.”

— Katrina Boatright, Senior & Disability Services Manager, City of Aurora

Overview of Artists & Works

  • Emergence — ThisisLoop (United Kingdom): Mirrored immersive installation exploring chaos, order, and emergent systems.
  • Bonfire — LedBlade (Hungary): Pixel-controlled light sculpture with fog and scent for a communal, heartwarming atmosphere.
  • Threshold — Daniel Murray / FuzzPop Workshop (United States): Water-inspired interactive inflatable sculpture blending interior and exterior space.
  • Quantum Jungle — Robin Baumgarten (Germany): Playful, touch-sensitive visualization of quantum physics using LEDs and metal springs.
  • Illoominated 2 & Laser Graffiti — Todd Moyer (United States): Interactive light experiences merging history, technology, and community participation.
  • The Door — BigArt (United States): Interactive portal exploring opportunity, change, and human connection.
  • Enchanted Oasis — Jeff Cason (United States): Fountain plaza transformed into an animated, multisensory garden.
  • Up-Next — Oliver Lewis (United States): Recycled-plastic sculpture of a classic TV set with kaleidoscopic light manipulation.
  • Echoes of Connection — Daniel Eller (United States): Nostalgic payphones—leave a message; you never know who’s listening.
  • Vivid Volume — Scott Boeing (United States): Dynamic 3D light grid mirroring participants’ movements in real time.
  • Interactive Video Wall — Zenith Creative (United States): Lighting, sound, and motion capture spark playful interaction.
  • Invisible Currents (Projection Mapping) — Alina Nazmeeva (United States): Aurora’s architecture becomes an illuminated storytelling canvas and living gardens.
  • Planet Swamp — Monochronicle Team (Collaborative): Surreal, multi-sensory lightscape—fog-filled bubbles, lasers, and sound.
  • Laser Show — Charles Alan Rye / Monochronicle: Laser-mapped light show outlining the historic Paramount Theatre.
  • Lux Arcana — Crystal Wagner & Logan Luckey (United States): Human-controlled light sculpture installed on a Metra train car (Chicago → Aurora).

Public Programs Schedule (At a Glance)

  • Friday, Oct 10, 5:00 PM — The Mayan (77 S. Stolp Ave): Opening ceremony with Native Firekeeper igniting Bonfire LED sculpture.
  • Friday, Oct 10 – Sunday, Oct 12, at 6 PM – Concerts powered by IBEW Locals 461 & 701.  More details and schedule: experiencelumenaura.com/festival/
  • Saturday, Oct 11: Drum circle, storytelling, and traditional songs honoring Indigenous history alongside futuristic art.
  • Second Weekend (Oct 17–18): All-Ages Silent Disco Party; Illoominated II by Todd Moyer Designs (projection-mapped laser installation).

About Monochronicle

Monochronicle is a pioneering public art marketplace and consultancy, combining a high-profile artist network with AI-powered tools for artist selection and project management. Built by artists and producers with over a decade of global experience, Monochronicle opens access to large-scale art for individuals, businesses, and institutions while creating more jobs for artists worldwide. LUMENAURA, produced by Monochronicle, exemplifies the organization’s commitment to immersive storytelling and thought leadership shaping the future of art in public places.

monochronicle.com

About the City of Aurora, IL

Located 35 miles west of Chicago, Aurora is the second-largest city in Illinois with a population of nearly 200,000. Known as the “City of Lights” for early adoption of electric street lighting, Aurora spans 46 square miles across Kane, DuPage, Kendall, and Will counties along the Fox River and I-88.

aurora-il.org

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