More than 2000 people visited Huyton Village Centre this weekend (Saturday 12 February) for the launch of light artworks, ‘Submergence’ and ‘Singularity’ created by world renowned artists Squid Soup.
The two immersive light installations captured the imaginations of adults and children alike and will be on display until Saturday 26 February from 5-10pm every night.
For the launch event, Spark Illuminated Drummers brought the beats and entertained the crowds. Their performances got people into the party spirit, and despite the rain, everyone enjoyed their high energy routine – with many dancing along as well as capturing the moment on their phones.
View more photos in our Flickr album.
Cllr Shelley Powell, Knowsley’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods said: “The rain didn’t seem to dampen anyone’s spirits and it was fantastic to see so many people join us for the latest event celebrating our year as Liverpool City Region Borough of Culture.
“We are bringing culture to the heart of our communities and it’s clear there is an appetite for this based on the numbers who came out on Saturday. Significantly, Saturday’s event also demonstrated the wider economic impact that culture can have – with most bars and restaurants seeing an increase in footfall during the evening.”
Louise Olgun, owner of Solasta Steakhouse, Huyton Village Centre said: “Saturday was our opening night– and what a night it was! It was fantastic to see so many people in the Village, enjoying the artworks and then coming in for a drink afterwards. Having events like this is hugely positive to people, communities and businesses like ourselves. We’re delighted that Submergence and Singularity will be here until next weekend – we hope many more people make an evening of it and visit our restaurant.”
Submergence and Singularity are the latest instalments in Knowsley’s year-long Borough of Culture programme. So far visitors have enjoyed Aqualux in Kirkby, Magic Wood in Halewood, Gaia at St. Chad’s Church and Tall Tales in Stockbridge Village – with all attractions forming part of ‘New Dawn’ – a series of moments of light across the borough. New Dawn will come to a dramatic finale this Friday 18 and Saturday 19 February with New Dawn Spectacular at Knowsley Hall.
More about Singularity and Submergence
Submergence is a reflective, immersive walkthrough experience on display in Sherbourne Square in Huyton Village Centre. Consisting of thousands of individual points of suspended light, visitors are encouraged to enter the artwork to experience the amazing light illusion for themselves.
Singularity consists of 6720 controllable mapped points of light, made up of over 20,000 LEDs and is located just outside Peacocks.
You can find out more about the artworks on the Culture Knowsley website – www.cultureknowsley.co.uk
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.
