The Festival Finale
A series of spellbinding outdoor events, blending spectacular projection, fire and music with a sprinkling of magic. Inspired by local stories and landscapes from across Newcastle, Northumberland and North Tyneside.
40,000 people flocked to Newcastle City Centre for this free outdoor festival of projection, magic and storytelling, inspired by the diversity, beauty, heritage, landscapes and people of Newcastle, Northumberland and North Tyneside.
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![Projection of seahorses on the circular exterior of the Civic Centre]()
The Zoetrope
Illuminos, Civic Centre
Making use of the unique architecture of the Newcastle Civic Centre, the building’s iconic drum was transformed into a shimmering, pulsing zoetrope, spinning on its axis and powered by the ringing carillon tower. As if conjured by the Tyne waters and the River God Tyne himself, water and energy surged down the tower, setting the great zoetrope spinning.
From the electric lights of The Lit and Phil Society to the vast pulsing steam turbine of Charles Parsons, the vibrant Hoppings and the fiery Davy lamp, stories from North of the Tyne ebbed and flowed in a whirl of kinetic movement. The soundtrack also included excerpts of original pieces composed and played on the Newcastle Carillon by Jonathan Bradley.
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![Beautiful bird projection on to the Great North Museum]()
Anthro Zoo
Heinrich and Palmer, Great North Museum
Using a fusion of large-scale projection, light and sound, Anthro Zoo took a nocturnal journey deep into the zoology stores of the Great North Museum - home to a vast and eclectic collection of taxidermy specimens. Here resides an order of animal skins skillfully shaped by the taxidermist to capture the memory and shape of former lives. Rabbit and wolf exist peacefully together with the now extinct Great Auk and Huia birds.
Using 3D laser scanning technology, lighting and film, a selection of these creatures were digitally captured and transformed into luminous bodies of light, ready to re-inhabit the city of Newcastle. Scans of the museum and the city created an ethereal context for this imaginary world, whilst the façade of the Great North Museum provided a dramatic backdrop for experiencing Anthro Zoo.
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![A colourful projection across a large building, including figures and a giant otter]()
Meadow Wall
Limbic Cinema, City Baths
This magical and illuminated interactive projection invited audiences on a journey from the undulating coastal dunes of Northumberland to the deep and dark forests of Kielder. The audience became part of the artwork as playful gestures caused the local landscapes to become populated with wild flora and fauna.
The experience sought to promote positive human action and a more harmonious relationship between humans and nature, starting conversations about how we can restore and rebalance our natural ecosystems.
The piece included poetry from Rowan McCabe, music by Rowan Evans and animal illustration by Nurbanu Asena.
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![A building lit up with a black and white projection of lots of young boys in school uniform]()
Take Me To The River
Imitating the Dog, Blackwell’s Bookshop
A multimedia adventure, from the Scottish border to the banks of the Tyne. Take Me To The River told a powerful, punchy tale of North East spirit and playful perseverance, inspired by local history and the stories that stay with us.
A child and two unusual companions - intent on having a splash about in the Tyne - made their way through towns and countryside against a backdrop of moving time.
Animation, archive film footage and a brass band score all combined in this fun film projection about a community coming together and the determination to have a good time!
Video Design & Story by Simon Wainwright | Music by James Hamilton | Associate Designer David Callanan & Steve Wade | Archive Footage supplied by Yorkshire and North East Film Archive | Choir - The Whartons Primary | Brass Band - Ashington Colliery Brass Band
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![Large floor project inside a quad of buildings, with people walking across]()
Hyem
NOVAK, Old College Quad, Newcastle University
Hyem - (Geordie, Home) was an immersive 70 metre long floor projection and multi channel sound installation.
It was created by NOVAK in collaboration with designers Ash Willerton, Erin McGrath, Hazel Dunn, Jimmy Turrell, and composer and sound artist, Ed Carter, featuring vocals and tenor saxophone from Faye MacCalman, viola from Chrissie Slater and Northumbrian smallpipes from Ednie Wilson.
Situated in the beautiful surroundings of the Old Quadrangle at Newcastle University’s city campus, this expansive projection work offered a playful and evocative experience to audiences.
Hyem examined and celebrated the culture and identity of the North of Tyne via an array of visual iconography and sonic interpretations, with each designer exploring a selection of different themes, bringing their own unique style to this eclectic tapestry.
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![Audience stood in front of a large orb with the story weaver projected on to]()
The Story-Weaver
Simon Sharkey, Katy Fuller, NOVAK, Roma Yagnik, Robin Peoples and Lightfires, Courtyard Cafe, Newcastle University
In a garden filled with flickering flames, a dramatic portal appeared, carved with celestial secrets. The Story-Weaver – our interstellar alchemist – appeared through the portal to tell the tales of the wonders she has seen on her journeys across the North of Tyne region. Inspired by stories of the heritage, landscapes, mythology, people of the region, the Story-Weaver gathered it all together to reflect back this beauty and diversity to the people who live here.
In this enchanted space, she brewed up the magic to power the explosion of colour, light and sound across the nearby streets and buildings.
