This weekend, centre:mk will unveil three exclusive, interactive, environmentally themed art installations as part of IF: Milton Keynes International Festival which will be running from 10th-30th July.
As the headline sponsor of the IF: Milton Keynes International festival, centre:mk will showcase three completely free installations offering culture and a new experience for all as lockdown eases, as well as endless Instagram opportunities.
The installations have been created with the environment in mind, aligning with centre:mk’s commitment to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2035.
Festival-revellers can enjoy the world premiere of Anna Berry’s ‘Breathing Room’, Yara + Davina’s ‘Arrivals + Departures’ and Luke Jerram’s ‘Gaia’.
Breathing Room, Queen’s Court.
Anna Berry’s world premiere of Breathing Room is a must-see during the festival. Commissioned by festival producers The Stables, the kinetic installation, which has been likened to a lung. The installation allows visitors to walk through its pulsing tunnel interior, which is lined with thousands of delicate cones that move and breathe. The installation's movement is generated by the mechanics of a sculptural exterior created from objects such as cogs, chains and bicycle parts.
Gaia, Middleton Hall.
Luke Jerram’s stunning replica of the earth, Gaia, will make its debut in Middleton Hall. Measuring seven metres in diameter and featuring 120dpi detailed NASA imagery of the Earth’s surface, the touring artwork can be seen along with sound compositions by BAFTA and Ivor Novello award-winner Dan Jones. Jerram’s ‘Museum of the Moon’ installation will also be displayed in the Park’s Trust Tree Cathedral at Newlands, making it the first time ever the two works have been exhibited in the same city in the UK.
Arrivals + Departures, City Square.
Yara + Davina’s Arrivals + Departures is an interactive artwork based on the lives of local people. Taking the well recognisable form of an arrivals and departures board, the artwork displays names of local people, submitted by the public, as a way of celebrating and commemorating a birth (an arrival) or a death (a departure). Visitors will also be able to contribute more names for the board in person to Festival Stewards, online and at Millton Keynes Central Library from Saturday 10 July.
Kevin Duffy, Centre Director, comments: “We are delighted to once again partner with IF: Milton Keynes International Festival and this year showcases three exceptional art installations throughout the centre. The thought-provoking environmentally themed installations reflect our ongoing commitment to becoming more environmentally and socially responsible, and will enhance centre:mk’s offering for visitors as restrictions continue to be eased.”
In addition to the innovative installations dotted in centre mk and its surrounding area, the festival will also offer visitors a line-up of fun events including theatre shows, circus performances, comedy evenings with the likes of Russell Kane and Rich Hall, panel discussions, children’s workshops as well as ochestra showcases and live music.
To find out more, you can visit the festival programme here.
