Spectacular light shows and visual effects displays will be beamed across many of Bath’s historic buildings as part of celebrations for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee weekend.
Following on from the success of the Illuminate Bath Festival 2012, the Council has commissioned Enlightened Lighting to collaborate with Bath Spa University and create a series of art projections around the city.
The free projections, lighting and visual effects will be running for five evenings from Friday 1 June to Tuesday 5 June 2012; from 10pm to 12midnight.
Pulteney Bridge will be transformed by a series of video projections. From Friday 1 to Sunday 3 June it will feature a quirky mix of work by the digital artist Anthony Head based on the themes of music and the Jubilee. On Monday 4 and Tuesday 5 June, Pulteney Bridge will be showing Paul Minott’s animated homage to Great British Queens.
There is also the opportunity to meet “Jackie” – Anthony Head’s giant interactive installation projected onto the Pump Room – as she watches people passing by the Roman Baths.
Orange Grove, The Guildhall and Bath Abbey Churchyard will also enjoy innovative lighting and projections as part of the celebrations.
Councillor Cherry Beath (Lib-Dem, Combe Down), Cabinet Member for Sustainable Development, said: “Bath & North East Somerset Council is proud to present this innovative project which will look breath-taking against the magnificent backdrop of Bath’s beautiful architecture. Anthony Head and his team are once again producing a really imaginative piece of work and I can’t wait to see how the crowds react to the interactive ‘Jackie’.
“We look forward to welcoming visitors from near and far to experience the magnificence of the city in a whole new light as part of our programme of celebrations for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, including the ‘Picnic in the Park’ at Royal Victoria Park, Bath, on 5 June.”
The launch of the projections and illuminations coincides with the “Party in the City”, the night of free music and events running across Bath at the start of the Bath International Music Festival. The lighting will provide a great photo and sharing opportunity for all.
Anthony Head, Illuminate Bath’s creative director, said: “We’re trying to do something a bit different, something you wouldn’t expect for Bath. I hope people will enjoy being surprised by the work as they walk around the city.“
Simon Marcus, of Enlightened Lighting, said: “It’s rare to have the opportunity to illuminate such beautiful architecture with no other purpose than to produce a sense of wonder. It really will be a weekend to remember.”
