Inflatable labyrinth of light and sound marks 10th anniversary celebrations of the Big Feast festival
A ‘stunning’ interactive inflatable labyrinth, featuring an ‘unforgettable’ light and sound experience, will be in Hanley Park for the summer to kick off the city centre’s 10th year of The Big Feast festival.
Luminarium – Architects of Air by Alan Parkinson will open to the public on Wednesday, 14 August. The inflatable maze – a mix of design and engineering – takes visitors along winding paths and under soaring domes inspired by natural forms, Islamic architecture, Archimedean solids and Gothic cathedrals. Visitors will be asked to remove their shoes before entering the sculpture and once inside they are free to follow the map and explore the installation. Or if they prefer, they can sit or lie back to enjoy the ambience, enhanced by the sounds of a specially composed immersive soundscape.
Architects of Air founder and artistic director Alan Parkinson started experimenting with ‘pneumatic sculptures’ in the 1980s. Since 1992 the Nottingham-based company has built 21 luminaria, made more than 600 exhibitions, and toured in 43 countries where more than 3 million visitors have immersed themselves in the luminous world of Architects of Air.
Alan said: “What motivates me to design is the fact that I continue to be struck by the beauty of light and colour found in the luminaria. These structures nurture an awareness of a pure phenomenon that gently cuts through everyday conditioned perceptions and awakens a sense of wonder in people.”
The installation will be open in Hanley Park from 1pm to 7pm on Wednesday, 14 August, and Thursday, 15 August, and from 11am to 5pm on Friday, 16 August. Tickets are priced at just £5 for adults and are free for 18s and under, with pre-booking encouraged. Every time slot has a number of tickets available for walk-ups with the exception of the first hour every day. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Appetite are bringing the Luminarium to Stoke-on-Trent to launch this year’s The Big Feast, a free two-day festival-style event which takes place on the streets and under-used spaces of Hanley in partnership with Stoke-on-Trent City Centre Business Improvement District (BID), Smithfield and Stoke-on-Trent City Council.
Taking place this year on Friday, 23 August, and Saturday, 24 August, it will feature world-class circus, dance and music performances and family-friendly activities -all wheelchair accessible and free – as well as a schedule of audio-described and sign language interpreted performances.
The 10th anniversary will also be celebrated with a photographic exhibition at the New Vic Theatre, looking at the ‘A to Z of The Big Feast’, from Tuesday, July 23.
Gemma Thomas, Appetite Director, said: “On behalf of Appetite, our partners and our community decision-makers we can’t wait to welcome you to this stunning luminarium. The light and atmosphere the inflatable sculptures create make it a place to visit with friends and family to create some unforgettable memories and photos! As part of our 10th Edition of The Big Feast we’re pleased to be returning to present fantastic artworks in advance of our Big Feast dates to really whet the appetite for the arts for both residents of the city and area, and those who might be visiting friends and family in the area from further afield.
“We kick-started the Appetite programme at Hanley Park and it’s been a regular location in our programme’s history and we’re excited to be returning with this exciting event. We’d love to see you there.”
Stoke-on-Trent City Council leader Jane Ashworth said: “The Big Feast is always a popular event offering the best entertainment for the whole family. If you are stuck for ideas over August bank holiday weekend come along and join in the free fun.
“Our city is one full of culture, heritage and creativity and we have high ambitions for our visitor economy. This event has been funded through our UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and our Visit Stoke-on-Trent: A City of Imagination grant, helping to create vibrant and exciting cultural tourism.”
For more information about Luminarium – Architects of Air by Alan Parkinson – visit www.appetite.org.uk
