Holly OrtonAs the weather grows brisk and auburn leaves begin to line the pavements, it’s apparent that autumn is once again upon us. This exciting time of year for Yorkies marks the return of the much loved and unique Illuminating York Festival.
To date, we’ve enjoyed six magical festivals displaying digital art and dazzling light displays, and this year promises to be even more outstanding. With 60,000 visitors attending in 2010, the festival is growing immensely popular, so we’ve provided a run-down of the main events:
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Free Event – “Envisions” by GaiaNova & United VJs
York Castle Museum (north building), Eye of York
26th-29th October, 6.30pm-10pm
The centerpiece to the 2011 Illuminating York Festival is a must-see event. Artists from Portugal, Brazil, Hungary and Austria have traveled especially to perform the piece commissioned by the festival organisers. “Envisions” is based on the theme ‘echoes from the past’. Expect to see exceptional VJ-ing (live illustration video accompanied by a DJ), and spectacular views. GaiaNova, UK based art production company have worked with the United VJs to transform the former Women’s Prison building into a dynamic video display. If previous festivals are anything to go by, the live visual display will be breathtaking.
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Free Event – “Contours” by Karen Monid
Dean’s Park
26th-29th October, 6.30pm-10pm
You are invited to enjoy British sound artist Karen Monid’s mysterious audio installation exhibiting in Dean’s Park. Monid has previously catered for the 2010 Illuminating York festival when she created the soundscape which accompanied “Rose” the Son et Lumiére, which lit the Minster’s East window.
York’s Viking routes are echoed in patterns of old language, music, song and natural sounds. The piece is intended to give a voice to the history woven deep into York, portraying the archaic and pastoral elements of the city.
Listen out for the seven (yes – seven!) different languages in the audio installation: Old Norse, Icelandic and Swedish to name a few. The obscure musical instruments used comprise of a reproduction Saxon lyre, a sheep bone flute and 8th Century Jorvik panpipes.
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Artist Talks by GaiaNova, United VJs and Karen Monid
The Council Chamber, York Guildhall
28th October, 3pm – 4pm
The two leading exhibitors of this year’s festival will be talking at the Guildhall about creating this year’s central piece – “Envisions”. GaiaNova, United VJs, and Karen Monid will also be discussing their sources of inspiration and creative methods. Pre-book your ticket at the Visit York Information Centre on Museum Street.
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The Friends of York Walls
“Lanternlight Walks along the Bar Walls”
Bootham Bar to Monkbar, meet at Bootham Bar
26-29 October, 7pm-9pm
Join “Friends of York Walls” in celebrating York’s magnificent heritage with a lanternlight walk along the Walls from Bootham Bar to Monk Bar. See the your favourite sights in a new light as Illuminating York takes you on the first night time walk along the walls.
Tickets: £3 per person, pre-booking is not required
See the rest of the supporting programme here
