Light festival boosts Durham's culture dream
Nov 13 2009 by David Whetstone, The Journal
IF representatives of rival contenders for the title UK City of Culture 2013 had been in Durham last night, their hearts might have sunk.
On the other hand, standing in front of a stunning light show projected onto the side of Durham Cathedral, their spirits might have soared in spite of themselves.
Projection artist Ross Ashton has produced a truly magnificent spectacle – one on a par with the raising of The Angel of the North or Stella McCartney’s Lucky Spot horse at Belsay Hall which may live forever in the memory.
The son et lumière (the French pioneered these stories in projected light), accompanied by a stirring, specially composed soundtrack, chronicles the story of St Cuthbert, the invasion of the Vikings and the creation of the great cathedral in a fold of the River Wear.
At one point, by this trick of light, the cathedral is whisked back in time to when only rickety wooden scaffolding stood here. Moments later it blazes with the vivid colours of the Lindisfarne Gospels - along with its text, writ large.
We see the building emblazoned with inflated images of the famous Durham knocker and with the equally celebrated rose window, enormous against the night sky.
It is a breathtaking highlight of Lumiere, the four-day free festival which lights up the centre of Durham until Sunday night.
At last night’s official launch in the Town Hall, Durham County Council leader Simon Henig said: “We hope to spread a little winter magic and turn the focus onto our beautiful city.” Last year’s popular but relatively modest Enlightenment festival attracted 30,000 visitors but the clear aim is to exceed that.
Certainly, in wandering the ancient streets last night, it was easy to appreciate the city centre’s innate and perhaps under-rated charms.
Faces of local heroes were projected around the Market Place, there was a playful forest of red and green poles at Millennium Place and jolly stars and moons shone from the highest rooftops.
Lumiere was produced by London arts group Artichoke with funding from Sky Arts, Arts Council England and, locally, the council and culture10.
As if to scotch accusations of culture being parachuted in, Artichoke’s Helen Marriage thanked all the local businesses who had helped to transform the city.
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