In a new commission for Lumiere, French fire alchemists Compagnie Carabosse have created Spirit, an audacious and extraordinary installation inside Durham Cathedral and its grounds. Spirit takes the form of a journey through the Cathedral lit by candles, lanterns, lighted threads and beacons. At its centre, a giant lighted sphere will hang in the Cathedral Crossing as "an object of wonder and awe in one of Europe's most spiritual buildings". A series of lanterns made from the vests traditionally worn by miners will lead visitors back down the Nave and outside into the garden filled with garlands of flamepots, boilers and other glorious structures laced with fire. The piece will gradually come to life each night as one by one the candles are lit, recalling the medieval tradition of the lighting of the Paschal Candle, which in Durham was a structure so high as to reach to the Cathedral ceiling.
One of Britain's favourite buildings will also see the return of Ross Ashton's Crown of Light, which will transform the Northside of the Cathedral into a vast animated canvas. The son et lumière brings together pages from the Lindisfarne Gospels with images of ancient artifacts from inside the Cathedral. accompanied by a soundscape by Robert Ziegler and John Del'Nero.
Welsh-born Canadian visionary landscape artist Peter Lewis and Morecambe-based engineering firm Water Sculptures have been commissioned to create Splash, a vast illuminated curtain of water that will fall continuously from the Kingsgate Footbridge that crosses the River Wear between the University and the Cathedral.
French artist-architect Jacques Rival's I Love Durham is a giant snowdome in the style of a traditional souvenir, which will completely encase the equestrian statue of one of the city's most controversial figures, the Marquess of Londonderry.
Simon Henig, leader of Durham County Council said, "The star quality of the line-up for Lumiere 2011 underlines Durham's position as a major cultural destination. This historic city will provide a stunning backdrop for a spectacular event and we will see how culture can bring people together and, just as importantly, bring major financial benefits to the local economy."
(Jim Evans)
