Bass Coast 

12-foot sculptural wooden lighthouses — greeting festivalgoers at the entry gates and pulsing with light at the Somewhere stage. Part wayfinding, part gathering place and a beacon for wandering wizards.

Photo Credit @ConcertSocks (Neil McElmon)

Bass Coast invited us back for a second year to create new wayfinding and ambient features for the 2023 festival. The project centred around a series of sculptural Beacons — tall wooden structures designed to enhance the festival experience both visually and spatially.

The first six Beacons were initially created for the main entrance gate, but four were later repositioned around the Main Stage perimeter, where they transformed a previously dark and underutilized area into a dynamic and welcoming gathering zone. Standing 12 feet tall, each Beacon was constructed from locally sourced 2x12 spruce, arranged in a radial formation to resemble a dead-standing tree — a familiar presence in BC’s forests and a humble refuge for wildlife.

The Beacons installed at the Main Stage were fitted with DMX lighting systems and integrated into the central lighting board, allowing them to synchronize with the stage’s lighting program. Their impact went beyond visuals: they offered guests places to stash day bags, lean bikes, or gather informally — even hosting impromptu dance parties well into the night. Some say a band of wizards visited to recharge their mana… though that remains unconfirmed.

In 2024, we returned to build six additional Beacons, expanding the Main Stage installation and extending the experience to the festival’s secondary entrance. The growing series now acts as a unifying system of sculptural wayfinding, reinforcing Bass Coast’s creative identity and playful energy.

The Beacons will continue to be utilized at Bass Coast for seasons to come.