Beams of light pointed towards the stars will illuminate English Bay and the night sky in downtown Vancouver in a spectacular light show during the 2010 Olympics as part of the Cultural Olympiad.

Starting at dusk on February 4, 2010, 20 robotic searchlights will create a quiet canopy of light in the night sky above and on the surface of English Bay with designs created by people around the world and delivered over the Internet. Called Vectorial Elevation, it is the first time the internationally celebrated work of art will be displayed in Canada and over a body of water.

The 10,000-watt lights will move and create patterns silently from locations in Vanier Park and Sunset Beach that cover an area of 100,000 sq. m and will be visible within 15 km of the city's downtown core, stretching to other sites of Olympic venues, like Richmond and Cypress Mountain.

The installation of this display is co-commissioned by the City of Vancouver's Olympic and Paralympic Public Art Program and Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad, Bell, and the Province of Quebec. The display, considered one of the world's largest interactive artworks, is lead by Canadian artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer.

"Vectorial Elevation is a unique, magical work that local residents, visitors and people from around the world can enjoy," said Mayor Gregor Robertson in a media release. "The installation will not only brighten our night skies, but also bring the Games to the world in an unexpected, interactive way."

More than two million people are expected to view it in person in Metro Vancouver, as well as internationally via www.vectorialvancouver.net or http://www.vancouver2010.com/code. The event runs regardless of the weather until February 28, 2010.

A personalized webpage will be automatically created for each participant to document their design and also send a personal dedication to anyone in the world. Organizers estimate 130,000 different patterns will be created in the 24 days the project operates from dusk to dawn.

"Vectorial Elevation is world-renowned and we wanted to see its majestic choreography unfold over Canadian skies for the very first time as part of the 2010 Winter Games," said Burke Taylor, vice president of culture and celebrations for VANOC. "It's about using the power of digital technology to include the world in our celebrations."

Previously, the installation was staged in Mexico, Spain, Ireland, and France where it received accolades such as Lyon's prestigious Trophée des Lumières.