Illuminating York

The annual Illuminating York event kicks off once again this evening, and last night our Nic and Howard got a sneak peek at the Museum Gardens as they'd never seen them before.

We weren't really sure exactly what to expect from this year's Illuminating York event, but we knew that it would be spectacularly strange - and we weren't wrong.

 

We don't want to give too much away, but Vic Reeves' imagination seems to be totally unlike anything we've seen before. The comedian created the weird and wonderful creatures that populate the Wonderland of the Museum Gardens, with a larger than life projection of the man himself on the wall of the museum giving a running commentary of the reasons behind his creations, which gives a bit of an insight. Apart from being really creative and interesting, the artwork is beautiful and amazingly colourful. 

 

Perhaps the part that we were most excited about, though, was the wall of the abbey ruins, where you can take part in an interactive dance-off - you're filmed busting a move, and then the video is projected onto the abbey walls. Truly fantastic fun!

 

Meanwhile, the rest of the gardens is filled with gorgeous and innovative lighting effects and amazing props (bikes with giant neon wings, anyone?) and there's plenty to explore and discover.

 

Thousands of people are expected to visit Wonderland,  which has seen Vic Reeves work with partners Bright White Ltd, Chetwoods and Arup to create the project, inspired by absurdist works such as Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Supported by the City ofYork Council, Arts Council England, York Museums Trust, Blackpool Council and Visit York, this year's festival once again uses cutting edge technology and over £500,000 worth of lighting technology to celebrate York's rich heritage and challenge visitors to see the city in a different light.

 

Wonderland is also supported by a programme offering visitors the opportunity to visit other famous sites at night, as many ofYork's iconic visitor attractions open their doors after hours and invite visitors to a series of special performances, light installations and art exhibitions.

 

Tickets are on sale now and cost £5 per adult. Under fives enter for free, and ages six to 16 enter for £1 (under 16s must be accompanied by an adult). The event is taking place from 31st October to 3rd November, with timed tickets available for 6.30pm-7.30pm, 7.30pm-8.30pm, 8.30pm-9.30pm and 9.30pm-10.30pm. Last admissions are at 10pm. Tickets will available on the night from Explore York,Library Square.

 

For more information visit www.illuminatingyork.org

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