Free interactive light events are taking place over the coming months to ‘brighten the dark skies’ of North Staffordshire.
Light Up Winter will feature immersive light installations, projections and sound experiences created by internationally acclaimed artists and take place in Middleport and Hanley in Stoke-on-Trent, and Newcastle-under-Lyme.
The first event, Light Up Middleport, will feature illuminated boxes flashing in time with residents’ heartbeats, flying fish made from recycled plastic bottles and a large interactive structure where visitors can create melodies and light patterns using simple hand movements. It takes place in Middleport Park on 21 and 22 January from 4pm until 8pm.
Light Up Hanley, on 3 and 4 February, will include a multi-sensory musical sculpture made up of more than 200 illuminated chime bars and a five-metre-high fortune-telling fruit machine. It takes place in Albion Square between 5pm and 8pm each night.
At the same time, there will be a large-scale projection onto the Town Hall co-created with young people from Stoke-on-Trent College, YMCA, Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College, Pinc College and artists Illuminos.
The series will conclude with Newcastle under Light outside the Guildhall on 4 March from 6pm to 9pm. The event will see a projection celebrating local people and places, a forest-inspired installation exploring breath and breathing together, and giant inflatable creatures that respond to hugs and squeezes.
Anyone with a connection to Newcastle is encouraged to get involved with a piece which will be built from voice notes capturing personal stories, memories and reflections.
Presented by Appetite, the events are free to attend with no booking required.
Appetite Interim Director Heather Dowler said: “Light Up Winter is about bringing people together during the darker months with free, joyful experiences for our communities. Each event offers something different, playful and fun to brighten the dark nights of winter.”
Refreshments will be available to purchase at all events.
British Sign Language tours will be available at each location and need pre-booking by contacting askus@appetite.org.uk
- Those looking to submit voice notes for the Newcastle piece are encouraged to mention a place in town, keep things natural and informal and speak as if sending a quick voice message to a friend.
- Message should ideally be between 30 and 60 seconds long, although submissions of up to two minutes are welcome.
- Voice notes can be sent via WhatsApp (07766720625) or email to hello@nulnid.co.uk
- To confirm consent for use in the artwork, contributors should include the words: “Yes, you can use this in the Newcastle-under-Lyme projection.”
