On Sunday 1 January at 4pm Hull UK City of Culture 2017 officially launched with major new commission Made in Hull, a not to be missed journey through almost 100 years of the city's history curated by BAFTA-nominated documentary film-maker Sean McAllister. The first night of Made in Hull included In with a Bang, a spectacular fireworks display over the river Humber fired from two barges on the Humber, at 8.17pm (20.17).
Inspired by the city, its history and people, artists for Made in Hull have used large-scale projection, soundscapes, site-specific art installations, animation, archive material and interactive live performance to transform iconic buildings, streets, the skyline and other public spaces around Hull's city centre.
The team behind Made in Hull includes acclaimed Hull-based writer Rupert Creed; production designer Ala Lloyd, who worked on the London 2012 Games; lighting designer Durham Marenghi, renowned for work ranging from the Diamond Jubilee to the Rio 2016 Games; and BAFTA and Ivor Novello Award winning composer and sound designer Dan Jones. They have worked with a variety of local and international artists to weave narratives from the last century in exciting, magical and breathtaking ways, with the city itself providing a unique and evocative canvas.
Made in Hull is supported by Arts Council England through its Ambition for Excellence funding programme, Heritage Lottery Fund and the Spirit of 2012. Further information about Made in Hull can be found in Notes to Editors.
The pyrotechnic display for In With A Bang was created by Titanium Fireworks and was accompanied by a film from Hull-based poet Shane Rhodes, filmmaker Dave Lee and musician Steve Cobby of Fila Brazillia fame, plus a video mix celebrating the sounds of the city from VJ DJ Cheeba. This featured a specially compiled soundtrack of music from bands and musicians associated with Hull. The free event was attended by 25,000 ticketholders, there was pre-show entertainment with music from Linda Levantiz, who runs the famous Bonny Boat pub and screen content.
Inspired by the city, its history and people, Made in Hull takes place each evening from 1-7 January, taking its cue from son et lumière, using artistry, ideas, imagination and the latest technology with large-scale projection, soundscapes, site-specific art installations, animation, archive material and interactive live performance, to transform iconic buildings, streets, the skyline and other public spaces around Hull's city centre.
The team behind Made in Hull includes acclaimed Hull-based writer Rupert Creed; production designer Ala Lloyd, whose work includes the London 2012 Games; lighting designer Durham Marenghi; renowned for work ranging from the Diamond Jubilee to the Rio 2016 Games; and BAFTA and Ivor Novello Award winning composer and sound designer Dan Jones. They are working with a variety of local and international artists to weave narratives from the last century in exciting, magical and breathtaking ways, with the city itself a unique and evocative canvas.
Queen Victoria Square is taken over by innovative animation director and video designer Zsolt Balogh for We Are Hull, which mixes archive footage with cutting-edge CGI animation to create a spectacular panoramic 15- minute film sequence projected onto Hull Maritime Museum, the Ferens Art Gallery and City Hall.
Internationally acclaimed artist Jesse Kanda, known for his work with Arca, Bjork and FKA Twigs, has taken over the High Street underpass (under Myton Bridge) for Embers. With a soundtrack by Arca, this new work is a delirious multi-screen and sound installation that recreates the 90s club scene in Yorkshire, playing with the history of rave culture and the inclusive spaces which they created.
imitating the dog, who mix live performance and technology, are using The Deep overlooking the Humber as a canvas for Arrivals and Departures. Accompanied by a specially created soundtrack by the BAFTA winning composer Terry Dunn, this new work explores migration and the journeys of people into and through Hull, using archive photography and cutting edge, playful animation.
Whitefriargate, one of the main shopping streets in the city, provides the backdrop to Character of Hull, a series of installations that reflect on different aspects of Hull, from caravanning to rugby. The new commissions come from local visual artist Helga Gift; Oscar nominated film producer Chris Hees; film and photography studio Sodium; interactive arts company Invisible Flock; and Hull-born artist Preston Likely.
Invisible Flock have also presented 105+db in Zebedee’s Yard. A large scale sound installation that transplants the noise from a Hull City football match using 36 speakers to create a unique, immersive sonic work in this historic space.
Jennifer Irons and Zach Walker of makeAMPLIFY showcase (in) Dignity of Labour in Scale Lane Staith. Exploring unemployment, employment and the welfare system through the real-life experiences of Hull’s young people, their stories of struggle, dehumanisation and hope make up a multi-sensory installation giving a voice to those who are voiceless.
Hull artist Quentin Budworth showcases his Hullywood Icons series in Silver Street, which joins Whitefriargate. Hull has become a movie set, with local people in the city each taking up the challenge of re-creating and starring in a scene from a classic movie. Projected onto buildings, Hullywood Icons puts the people of Hull and East Yorkshire onto the big screen with a playful twist.
Humber Street stage Urban Projections’ work Vantage Point, which will capture and reflect the fun and vibrancy of Hull and its people, transforming street locations into a living canvas. Members of the public are invited to interact with the piece and capture selfies as they are immersed in the installation.
Made in Hull is supported by Arts Council England through its Ambition for Excellence funding programme, Heritage Lottery Fund and the Spirit of 2012.
Made in Hull is supported by Arts Council England through its Ambition for Excellence funding programme, Heritage Lottery Fund and the Spirit of 2012.
FIREWORKS: 'IN WITH A BANG'
At 8.17pm (20.17), the first day of Made in Hull culminated with In with a Bang, a spectacular fireworks display fired from two barges on the Humber. The pyrotechnic display, in association with Arco and created by Titanium Fireworks, will last around 12 minutes. It will be accompanied by a film from Hull-based poet Shane Rhodes, filmmaker Dave Lee and musician Steve Cobby of Fila Brazillia fame, plus a video mix celebrating the sounds of the city from VJ DJ Cheeba. This will feature a specially compiled soundtrack of music from bands and musicians associated with Hull.
Hull UK City of Culture 2017
Hull UK City of Culture 2017 is a 365 day programme of cultural events and creativity inspired by the city and told to the world. Hull secured the title of UK City of Culture 2017 in November 2013. It is only the second city to hold the title and the first in England.
Divided into four seasons, this nationally significant event draws on the distinctive spirit of the city and the artists, writers, directors, musicians, revolutionaries and thinkers that have made such a significant contribution to the development of art and ideas.
The Culture Company was set up to deliver the Hull 2017 programme and is an independent organisation with charitable status. It has raised £32 million, with over 60 partners supporting the project, including public bodies, lottery distributors, trusts and foundations and local and national businesses. Key contributions are coming from: Host City – Hull City Council; Principal Partners - Arts Council England, BBC, Big Lottery Fund, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Heritage Lottery Fund, KCOM, KWL, Spirit of 2012, Yorkshire Water and the University of Hull; Major Partners –Associated British Ports, Arco, BP, the British Council, Green Port Hull, Hull Clinical Commissioning Group, MKM Building Supplies, P&O Ferries, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Sewell Group, Siemens, Smith & Nephew and Wykeland Group.
68 per cent of the funding is dedicated to public facing activities, including the widest range of cultural events in every corner of the city, with a further 11 per cent for legacy and contingency. More than £5 million is being invested in volunteering, learning and community engagement. £1.6 million is being invested to ensure a legacy after 2017. This includes capacity building, such as supporting existing events so they can grow, staging curtain-raiser events, developing future programming for after 2017 and building a new platform to support a unified ticketing system for the city.
Hull 2017’s International Partners are: Aarhus, Denmark, which is European Capital of Culture 2017; Reykjavik, Iceland; Rotterdam, The Netherlands; and Freetown, Sierra Leone (twinned with Hull). These relationships are reflected in a number of events throughout the year.
For information go to www.hull2017.co.uk
