A ‘stunning’ interactive inflatable labyrinth, featuring an ‘unforgettable’ light and sound experience, will pop up in Hanley Park next month to kick off the city centre’s 10th year of The Big Feast festival.
Luminarium – Architects of Air by Alan Parkinson will open to the public on Wednesday, 14 August, and promises to immerse visitors in ‘a world of wonder’. The inflatable maze – a mix of design and engineering – takes visitors along winding paths and under soaring domes inspired by natural forms, Islamic architecture, Archimedean solids and Gothic cathedrals. Visitors remove their shoes before entering the sculpture and once inside they are free to follow the map and explore the installation. Or if they prefer, they can sit or lie back to enjoy the ambience, enhanced by the sounds of a specially composed immersive soundscape.
Architects of Air founder and artistic director Alan Parkinson started experimenting with ‘pneumatic sculptures’ in the 1980s. Since 1992 the Nottingham-based company has built 21 luminaria, made more than 600 exhibitions, and toured in 43 countries where more than 3 million visitors have immersed themselves in the luminous world of Architects of Air.
Alan said: “What motivates me to design is the fact that I continue to be struck by the beauty of light and colour found in the luminaria. These structures nurture an awareness of a pure phenomenon that gently cuts through everyday conditioned perceptions and awakens a sense of wonder in people.”
The installation will be open in Hanley Park from 1pm to 7pm on Wednesday, 14 August, and Thursday, 15 August, and from 11am to 5pm on Friday, 16 August. Tickets are priced at just £5 for adults and are free for 18s and under, with pre-booking encouraged. Every time slot has a number of tickets available for walk-ups with the exception of the first hour every day. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Appetite are bringing the Luminarium to Stoke-on-Trent to launch this year’s The Big Feast, a free two-day festival-style event which takes place on the streets and under-used spaces of Hanley in partnership with Stoke-on-Trent City Centre Business Improvement District (BID), Smithfield and Stoke-on-Trent City Council.
Taking place this year on Friday, 23 August, and Saturday, 24 August, it feature world-class circus, dance and music performances and family-friendly activities -all wheelchair accessible and free – as well as a schedule of audio-described and sign language interpreted performances.
The first Big Feast took place in 2014 and has been held every year since, apart from 2020 due to COVID restrictions. Throughout the year Appetite are out and about talking and listening to members of the community and this helps to shape what appears at the Big Feast, with a fresh programme being created each year. Over the years there have also been exciting shows and experiences that have taken place in the city’s theatres and parks, and this year is no different.
The 10th anniversary will also be celebrated with a photographic exhibition at the New Vic Theatre, looking at the ‘A to Z of The Big Feast’, from Tuesday, July 23.
Gemma Thomas, Appetite Director, said: “On behalf of Appetite, our partners and our community decision-makers we can’t wait to welcome you to this stunning luminarium. The light and atmosphere the inflatable sculptures create make it a place to visit with friends and family to create some unforgettable memories and photos! As part of our 10th Edition of The Big Feast we’re pleased to be returning to present fantastic artworks in advance of our Big Feast dates to really whet the appetite for the arts for both residents of the city and area, and those who might be visiting friends and family in the area from further afield.
“We kick-started the Appetite programme at Hanley Park and it’s been a regular location in our programme’s history and we’re excited to be returning with this exciting event. We’d love to see you there.”
Stoke-on-Trent City Council leader Jane Ashworth said: “The Big Feast is always a popular event offering the best entertainment for the whole family. If you are stuck for ideas over August bank holiday weekend come along and join in the free fun.
“Our city is one full of culture, heritage and creativity and we have high ambitions for our visitor economy. This event has been funded through our UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and our Visit Stoke-on-Trent: A City of Imagination grant, helping to create vibrant and exciting cultural tourism.”
You can book tickets for Luminarium – Architects of Air by Alan Parkinson at www.appetite.org.uk Pre-booking your tickets gives priority access in that time slot, while a certain number of tickets in every slot are available for walk-ups. Time slots are every 30 minutes but once inside there is no time limit on your visit, except at very busy times.
The first hour of each day will be designated as a ‘quiet hour’ for people who might otherwise struggle to attend. During quiet hour, there will be 50% fewer people admitted to offer a calmer experience. All slots in the quiet hour are available to book. The installation is accessible to wheelchair users.
For more information, and to find out what else is coming up in Appetite’s calendar of events, visit www.appetite.org.uk
