Light Art Illuminates the Schiphol Business District

Anyone walking through Schiphol Business District this winter will notice something special: three international light artworks bring extra colour to the area. In collaboration with Light Art Collection — originating from the Amsterdam Light Festival — Schiphol Real Estate is bringing these temporary eye-catchers to the routes employees walk every day.

The art works and artists

Masamichi Shimada – Butterfly Effect
In front of WTC Schiphol Airport stand five large, blue-glowing butterflies by Japanese artist Masamichi Shimada. The piece refers to the well-known “butterfly effect”: small movements can cause major changes. Due to their impressive scale and soft blue light, the butterflies create a striking image that adds an unexpected poetic layer to the business district.

Mads Vegas – Eternal Sundown
Mounted on the façade of parking garage P12 is Eternal Sundown by Danish artist Mads Vegas. The installation consists of 140 colourful, fluorescent light tubes that represent an artificial sunset, bringing extra light and warmth to the area. The work, previously shown during the COP15 climate summit, touches on themes such as climate change and the future of our living environment.

UxU Studio – Desire
At the entrance of The Base C stands Desire by Taiwanese collective UxU Studio: red lips made up of roughly 1,500 light points. Because of its position on the corner, the image shifts as you walk by — from clearly shaped lips to a beating heartbeat. With this transformation, UxU Studio plays with desire, emotion, and communication. The striking placement makes Desire instantly recognisable for anyone entering or leaving the district.

When to see it?

The light art installations are on display from 1 December 2025 to 6 February 2026 in Schiphol Business District. Scan the QR codes on the floor stickers for more information about each artwork.