14/09/2011

Famous characters from York's colourful history provide part of the inspiration for this year's Illuminating York Festival, as the central artwork moves from the Minster to another storeroom of York History, the Castle Museum in the Eye of York. Cutting edge projections onto the ancient building - scene of nearly 1000 years of justice - will take inspiration from some of York's more colourful characters such as Dick Turpin or Guy Fawkes as well as lesser known people to create a breath-taking event that is not to be missed.

Following last year's success with the very first ‘son et lumiere' on York Minster, the 2011 central piece Envisions is another first for York and Yorkshire. Pushing artistic boundaries still further, Illuminating York 2011 will take a technological leap forward using architectural mapping, and visual illusions projected by more powerful projectors than the Festival has seen to date onto the Castle Museum in the eye of York.

GaiaNova who brought the tag tool to York's Roman Multangular Tower in 2009 have teamed up with United VJs, an international group of artists to create a brand new commission inspired by the theme Echoes of the Past. Envisions will fuse video, images and soundtrack and, using powerful technology, will give onlookers a spectacular experience.

York's two thousand years of history will inspire the installation; and every night will bring a slightly different experience as artists mix the images live every night, creating a breath-taking event that can be watched on film but can only be truly experienced live. New this year too is the invitation to onlookers to upload their video footage to You Tube so that characters from York's past will live on in the future online.
York's rich history is also the basis for Contours an artwork by sound artist Karen Monid, while the largest Festival Fringe yet will celebrate York's status as the most haunted city in Europe and promises torchlit tours and spooky goings on in visitor attractions throughout the city as well as late night opening and a host of special restaurant deals.

Supported by the City of York Council, Visit York, Arts Council England and Welcome to Yorkshire, this year's festival will celebrate York's rich heritage using cutting edge technology and once again challenge visitors to see York in a different light.

Gillian Cruddas, Chief Executive of Visit York today said: ‘Envisions will fuse cutting edge technologies with some of York's untold history, in a combination of old and new that sums up modern York. This nationally acclaimed festival breathes light and innovation into York's historic buildings and offers visitors the chance to see York in a different light.'

Cllr Sonja Crisp, Leisure, Culture and Social Inclusion today said: ‘Over 60,000 people experienced Illuminating York in 2010 and we are confident that we will see as many again with this year's mix of cutting edge technology, ghostly tours and a host of fringe events that promise to make this year's festival the biggest and most spectacular yet.'

Envisions and Contours are also supported by an extensive fringe program offering visitors the opportunity to visit other famous sites at night, as many of York's iconic visitor attractions open their doors after hours and invite visitors to a series of special performances, light installations and art exhibitions.

To encourage visitors to make an evening of it, many city centre bars, restaurants and cafes are also offering meal deal offers and discounts. The 2011 Festival runs from 26-29 October, from 6.30pm-10pm each evening. There are further details at www.illuminatingyork.org  or telephone Visit York Information Centre on 01904 550099
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