Visitors to Liverpool’s River Festival will have a ‘whale’ of a time thanks to a stunning water and light projection show.
The team responsible for the festival’s artistic programme – Changing Tides – has commissioned Whale Song – a visually stunning water, sound and light show which will take place in Canning Dock each evening, from Wednesday 29 May until Sunday 2 June.
Audiences will see a humpback whale emerge 15 metres out of the water and plunge back in, in an expression of its prowess and dominance. The six-minute show, which will be repeated from around 9.45-11pm will also feature a soundscape of beautiful whale.
The globally-acclaimed designers behind the artwork, LCI productions, said the projection is to highlight our closeness and affinity to the earth, and is a warning that we pose a threat to the planet.
The FREE, family-friendly River Festival itself takes place on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 June across the waterfront and audiences can enjoy Tall Ships, live music, street theatre, exhibitions, workshops and much more.
Along with Whale Song, Changing Tides will feature a brand new public art commission on the Pier Head, another installation will see huge floating hand-crocheted Urchins, a New York-inspired dance extravaganza and an unforgettable aerial and land-based performance around a shipwreck.
For full details of the programme, including locations of events and times, visit www.theriverfestival.co.uk or follow @riverfestlpool on Twitter, or River Festival Liverpool on Twitter and Instagram.
Deputy Mayor and cabinet member for culture, tourism and events, Councillor Wendy Simon, said: “There has been a real focus on growing the artistic element of the River Festival to complement the fantastic maritime offer the event is renowned for.
“We’re delighted LCI is on board – Whale Song isn’t just visually impressive, it’s an emotional experience that will really touch the audience.
“Last year, the apparition of a Ghost Ship appeared on the water at Royal Albert Dock Liverpool and it proved to be a huge success with crowd numbers growing each night. This time, the motion and the soundscape will make it a much more immersive experience and we look forward to wowing people once again!”
Andrew Day, Creative Director of LCI, said: “LCI are delighted to be bringing the Whale Song show to Liverpool for the River Festival.
“The show was created to present a beautiful and subtle expression of the dance and music of one of nature’s most wonderful creatures. We hope audiences will be delighted by the visions of these majestic creatures being projected onto an ideal screen, one that is made of water.
