Knowsley’s year as Liverpool City Region Borough of Culture got off to an illuminating start, with the switch on of Aqualux in Kirkby Town Centre last Friday (14th Jan).
Hundreds of people gathered in the town centre to celebrate this exciting start to the year and visitors young and old quickly got into the party spirit.
Spark Illuminated Drummers brought the beat to the heart of Kirkby with their mesmerising performances and soon after Aqualux was officially switched on by Knowsley Council’s Deputy Leader, Cllr Louise Harbour.
Cllr Harbour commented: “After months in the planning, we wanted this first event to be really special – and it was! It was wonderful to see so many people and there was such a lovely atmosphere. Everyone was really enjoying themselves and getting involved – dancing and singing along to Aqualux. And that’s what Borough of Culture is all about – we want everyone to get involved and enjoy themselves, create memories and enjoy these special moments.
“And this is just the start, there is so much more happening, and I hope that Aqualux has given people a taste of what to expect throughout the rest of the year.”
Aqualux is the first of a series of light installations coming to Knowsley to form ‘New Dawn’ and which kicks of the borough’s year programme of events.
Take a look at the photos in this Flickr album.
More about Aqualux
The stunning 8-metre by 3-metre-wide light installation consists of 48 containers which can hold up to 1,000 litres of water – that is the same as the average water consumption of one person in a year, just at home.
Coming to life after dark, the illuminated artwork is accompanied by music to create a memorable and magical experience whilst also raising awareness of the need to conserve and protect our fragile water supplies.
Aqualux will be illuminated between 4pm and 9pm, every day until Friday 28 January. The experience will run on a loop for 20 minutes with a short break in between meaning visitors can arrive at any time after 4pm to experience the attraction. There is no need to book tickets and it is completely free to the public.
New Dawn
As part of Knowsley’s New Dawn programme Aqualux will be complemented by additional light installations across the borough. Details below:
The Magic Wood – 21, 22 and 23 January 2022 – Halewood
Over three consecutive evenings Court Farm Woods in Halewood will be transformed into an enchanted spectacle of light, music and fiery woodland creatures.
The Magic Wood – A Fire Garden by Walk the Plank will be unique to Halewood and will feature performances from Bring The Fire Project, harpist Rebecca Mills and a special family performance set in giant golden birdcage.
Tickets for this event are ‘sold’ out but you can join a waiting list where additional tickets will be allocated if they become available. Please email boroughofculture22@knowsley.gov.uk with your details.
Gaia – 28 January to 17 February – St. Chad’s Church Kirkby
Luke Jerram’s ‘Gaia’ is an astonishing 6-metre-wide replica of the earth based on imagery and data from NASA. Suspended in the air and slowly revolving, the artwork – which will be housed in St. Chad’s Church in Kirkby – gives people a chance to see the planet, floating in three dimensions.
A specially made surround sound composition by BAFTA and Ivor Novello award winning composer Dan Jones is played alongside the sculpture.
Tall Tales – 4 and 5 February 2022 – 6pm onwards (last showing 7.30pm) – Stockbridge Village
Tall Tales is a brand-new large-scale community artwork that will see Merecliff – a residential 16 storey tower in Stockbridge Village (adjacent to the M57 motorway) – animated and illuminated in light. The dramatic projection which will be accompanied by a soundtrack, will tell the story of local people and communities who have shared their stories captured, interpreted and exaggerated by artists Illuminos.
Submergence – 12 to 26 February – Huyton Village Centre
Submergence, created by world renowned artists Squid Soup, is a reflective, immersive walkthrough experience that will go on display in Sherbourne Square in Huyton Village. Consisting of thousands of individual points of suspended light, visitors are encouraged to enter the artwork to experience the amazing light illusion for themselves.
New Dawn Light Spectacular – 18 and 19 February – 2 showings per night 6pm and 9pm – Knowsley Hall
The New Dawn programme will come to a spectacular climax over two consecutive evenings in February. In two showings per evening, the iconic Knowsley Hall will be illuminated in a series of dramatic projections recreating a vision of a pop-up story book – a fairy-tale of lights and sound telling the stories of Knowsley.
Delivered by video projection artist’s Illuminos and accompanied by an atmospheric soundtrack from renowned composer Patrick Dineen the spectacular will create a unique and memorable moment for all visitors. The ballot for tickets for this event has now closed.
COVID ADVICE TO VISITORS
- If you have tested positive for COVID 19 or are displaying symptoms of the virus please do not attend
- Guests are advised to take a lateral flow test before they attend. You can obtain lateral flow test kits here
- Please check www.cultureknowsley.co.uk or follow @cultureknowsley on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for any updates
Borough of Culture
The Borough of Culture title was introduced by Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. It is awarded annually on a rotational basis to one of the six local authorities that make up the Liverpool City Region.
The Borough of Culture is part of the 1% for Culture initiative which commits at least 1% of the Liverpool City Region’s annual gain share (£300k) to cultural projects/activities. Established as an annual award rotating around the boroughs, the Borough of Culture helps to celebrate, amplify and strengthen the existing cultural offer, develop new ideas and initiatives that will underpin future development and legacy.
Liverpool City Region is the first Combined Authority to have control over culture in its devolution deal, utilising many of the region’s existing assets and talent to stimulate cultural and creative opportunities.
The Borough of Culture was first launched in St Helens in 2018, followed by Wirral 2019, Sefton 2020, Halton in 2021 and is currently held by Knowsley for 2022. The programme rotation will recommence in 2023 back in St Helens.
