AN arts project designed to inspire local communities to rediscover their local neighbourhoods and spend time stargazing is being launched across Liverpool City Region.

Constellations Presents brings a different artist to Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral to present a work inspired by a specific constellation and its relationship to local stories.

It is the follow-on from the award winning ‘Lost Castles’ which saw six extraordinary cardboard box structures being built and then demolished by communities in locations across the six boroughs in 2018.

The project was instigated by Wirral’s Borough of Culture year, which will launch the season with a spectacular installation by Studio Joanie Lemercier in West Kirby between the 18-20 October.

The final project – in Knowsley – will see local artist Sam Wiehl reimagining local residents and community groups as stars in a disused shop in Huyton village centre between 21-23 November.

The six commissions are:

Constellations Presents – Studio Joanie Lemercier

West Kirby Marine Lake, Wirral

18-20 October 2019

Constellations Presents – Cetus

Mann Island, Liverpool

1-9 November 2019

Constellations Presents – The Creation

Sherdley Park, St Helens

5 November 2019

Constellations Presents – Parabolic Lightcloud

Crosby Coastal Park, Sefton

8-10 November 2019

Constellations Presents – Nova

Victoria Park, Widnes, Halton

15-17 November 2019

Constellations Presents – The Garish Sun

Huyton Village Centre, Knowsley

21-23 November 2019

To find out more about the six works and what is happening near you, go to www.constellationslcr.co.uk

Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of Liverpool City Region, said: “Lost Castles perfectly showed how art and culture can celebrate local identity, whilst also bringing us together under one idea. I am excited about Constellations Presents as it does exactly the same thing. It will shine a spotlight on six very different parts of our region at the same time as showing how connected we are. I really hope people take this chance to go to as many of the installations as they can and to discover great new places on their doorstep.”

Councillor Christine Spriggs, Cabinet Member for Culture and Tourism at Wirral Council, said: “We’re so pleased that Constellations is part of Wirral’s year as Borough of Culture for Liverpool City Region. Our 2019 programme has been inspired by discovery, exploration and the great outdoors, and we’re delighted to be working with our city region neighbours on this series of wonderful events which perfectly capture these themes. Joanie Lemercier’s spectacular installation will wow audiences as it takes them on a journey through the universe against the beautiful backdrop of West Kirby’s waterfront. Over the coming weeks, Wirral will host even more exciting events which reflect the peninsula’s big skies for the final chapter of Wirral Borough of Culture, including Luke Jerram’s Museum of the Moon coming to Birkenhead Town Hall, and annual fireworks extravaganza River of Light.”

Deputy Mayor and Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Tourism and Events, Councillor Wendy Simon, said: “This is another great event as part of Liverpool’s cultural programme and it is fabulous to be teaming up with other local authorities across the city region on something with a common theme. It is really important that we showcase the whole region to visitors and allow people to access culture on their own doorstep.”

Councillor Anthony Burns, St Helens Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health, Leisure and Libraries, said: “Constellations is set to build on the successes of last year’s incredible Lost Castles project, by sparking cultural engagement across the Liverpool City Region. In St Helens, we’re taking our Constellations experience “The Creation” to the skies with our brilliant Bonfire Night event, Spark in the Park. On 5 November, a bespoke fireworks display in Sherdley Park will dazzle thousands across St Helens, conjuring images of the creation of the universe in the night sky, accompanied by musical soundscapes.”

Councillor Trish Hardy, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, said: “The Lost Castles project united so many people across our communities and we hope the constellations event has a similar effect. We are using the event at Crosby Coastal Park as a catalyst to launch our Borough of Culture year which we can’t wait to showcase. Visually the Parabolic Lightcloud looks amazing and I’m sure thousands of people will head to Crosby in November to marvel such a wonder.”

Councillor Rob Polhill, Leader of Halton Borough Council, said: “I cannot wait for people to experience Constellations in Victoria Park this autumn. It’s fantastic that we have this opportunity to host renowned artists Squidsoup and their innovative light installation. I’m sure that it will be a big hit with local people and visitors alike.”

Councillor Shelley Powell, Knowsley Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods, said: “I’m delighted to once again be hosting a fantastic community project here in Knowsley, drawing on the talent and experiences of a local artist.  Our theme is inspired by Shakespeare play Romeo and Juliet, which is fitting given work on the Shakespeare North Playhouse has commenced here in Knowsley. I look forward to visiting the Constellations project and meeting the people who helped to make it happen.”

Categories: Arts | Community Event | Family | Free | Liverpool | News

Subscribe to our mailing list