About
Every day, new life enters the world. First Breath celebrates that extraordinary moment when a child is born—when they take their first breath and everything changes.
As darkness falls, powerful beams of light rise into the night sky—a luminous tribute to the 171 babies born in Toronto every day. Connecting ground to sky, the massive column of light slowly pulses with the number of births in the city each day, echoing the rhythm of breath and revealing a hidden network of new parents across Toronto experiencing life’s most precious beginning.
Created by internationally renowned UK artist Luke Jerram and inspired by the birth of his own daughter, this large-scale public artwork transforms the skyline into a quiet, breathtaking reminder of the lives beginning all around us. Designed using low-energy LED lights, First Breath invites you to pause, look up and reflect.
Whether viewed from across the city or beneath its glow, this North American premiere turns private joy into shared celebration—a moment of collective wonder in the heart of the city.
Credits
First Breath
By Luke Jerram
A light installation
Presented by Luminato Festival
Originally commissioned and produced by Factory International, Manchester
About Luminato at Harbourfront
Luminato takes over Harbourfront Centre for a weekend of provocative art installations, a new take on Shakespeare, global food vendors and live music celebrations.
Explore Terceradix Luminarium, an immersive world of light and First Breath, a glowing tribute to new life. Groove to the chart-topping sounds of the legendary Quincy Jones with Grammy Award-winning artist Larnell Lewis and experience South Asian rhythms from the Tawoos Initiative, Latin beats from Lula Music & Arts Centre and music from Indigenous artists presented by Miigwetch Collective. For two nights only, don’t miss the reimagined and revolutionary take on Shakespeare’s most famous play, Hamlet, from acclaimed Peruvian director Chela De Ferrari.
From local artisans showcasing their crafts to food vendors serving global flavours, dancing under the stars or losing yourself in immersive art installations, Luminato at Harbourfront captures the magical spirit of summer in the city.
Learn more about Luminato Festival
Dates & Times
Tickets
No tickets required
Venue
Ontario Square
Open courtyard surrounded by ample seating and scenic birch trees.
Wheelchair accessible.
Presented by
