DURHAM Cathedral's Galilee Chapel will be transformed with a dazzling light installation by the renowned artist Chris Levine.

The installation called Light will be come to life in the first of three Cathedrals at Night evenings on Friday March 20.

It is the in a series of ambitious artistic installations to mark Durham’s Year of Pilgrimage, bringing the launch of the Northern Saints Trails – in recognition of the cathedral’s continuing role as a place of veneration and pilgrimage for visitors from all over the globe.

Commissioned by the Genesis Foundation in 2010 for Holy Trinity Church in London, has been adapted to suit Durham Cathedral. Realised through the support of headline sponsors the Friends of Durham Cathedral, it features a sublime matrix of lasers in the form of a cross, directed through crystal, and, rendered in the viewer’s peripheral vision, an image of the St Cuthbert Pectoral Cross, one of the Cathedral’s treasures.

The installation will be accompanied by sacred choral music by Durham native Will Todd, among other composers, in recordings by the distinguished choir, The Sixteen, under its conductor Harry Christophers (for whom the Genesis Foundation commissioned the music).

The Very Reverend Andrew Tremlett, Dean of Durham, said: “We are thrilled to be joining forces with an artist of Chris’s calibre to bring the immersive and deeply powerful Light to the Cathedral this spring. This is in no small part down to the generous support of the Friends of Durham Cathedral, who have worked to secure the piece for Durham.

“We are excited to see how the ambient artwork will transform the intricate Norman architecture in our 12th century Galilee Chapel, providing an unrivalled welcome to all the pilgrims who will pass through our doors during Durham’s special Year of Pilgrimage in 2020.

“Foot-washing has long been a tradition of welcoming pilgrims into God’s home. It is an exercise still used in our service on Maundy Thursday in Holy Week. It is a show of honour and humility towards one another and serves the purpose of cleansing pilgrims of their sins. Chris’s innovative work with lasers will give pilgrims the experience of being spiritually bathed in light, instilling them with a feeling of calm and serenity as they prepare to enter the main church.

"Fittingly, Light will make its debut on 20 March, the feast day of St Cuthbert, a joyous occasion when we welcome pilgrims from all over the world to the heart of Durham Cathedral, The Shrine of St Cuthbert.”

Michael Galloway, Chairman of the Friends of Durham Cathedral, said: “We are delighted to sponsor such a stimulating piece of artwork as Light. This will be an exciting start to the Year of Pilgrimage and we hope that visitors to the cathedral during this time arrive as pilgrims and leave as Friends.”