In a liquid crystal device a substrate (1) favors at least two stable or metastable differently directed liquid crystal alignments, and switching means for causing the liquid crystal material to switch between the alignments includes means arranged for optically irradiating said device. The latter may provide linearly polarized light (3) for inducing a torque on the liquid crystal to determine the alignment direction, and may optionally cooperate with a second energy supplying means such as an electric field (V) for assisting and switching. Alternatively, the alignment of the liquid crystal may be switched by a second energy supplying means such as an electric field, the light serving to produce heat to aid the switching. Either or both energy sources may be applied locally for switching of selected areas or pixels. Energy levels at the bistable substrate may be adjusted by the use of an oligomeric additive (slippery surface). As shown, the alignment at the surface of an opposed substrate (2) optionally follows the alignment at substrate (1).