Dress rehearsal in Minster for Illuminating York festival

10:49am Thursday 6th September 2012 in News By Megi Rychlikova, megi.rychlikova@thepress.co.uk

Andy McKeown is illuminated by a kaleidoscope of colour at York Minster Andy McKeown is illuminated by a kaleidoscope of colour at York Minster

YORK Minster was ablaze with moving colours after it closed its doors to the public yesterday as the pillars and roof of the nave were transformed into a moving kaleidoscope of images.

Those in on the secret found themselves transformed as they walked around the cathedral and the lights played on their clothes and faces.

Artist Andy McKeown was running a dress rehearsal of his contribution to this year’s Illuminating York festival.

But the public will have to wait until October 31 to see his work. It was a strictly behind closed doors trial, but The Press was given a special preview so readers can get a sense of what will be on public display in a few weeks’ time.

Some of the illuminations will be around the Orb, York Minster’s new stained glass exhibition which will open on October 27 and which will feature stained glass masterpieces.

Mr McKeown, who trained in ceramics and photography before moving into computer generated art projects, has worked with West Ham United, Channel 4 Schools, Granada and Oxford University Press, among others. He is based in the West Midlands.

Illuminating York runs from October 31 to November 2.

The annual festival, during which many of the city’s best known buildings and landmarks are illuminated, draws more than 60,000 visitors a year to the city.

In previous years, York Minster’s West Front has been lit up, but this year, the illuminations will be indoors.

Comments(12)

M.Lucas says...
12:12pm Thu 6 Sep 12

"In previous years, York Minster’s West Front has been lit up, but this year, the illuminations will be indoors."

Does this mean that the public will have to pay to see the illuminations? I hope not.

Report this post »

RoseD says...
6:03pm Thu 6 Sep 12

Seeking POETS to describe the lights! yorkspokenword@yahoo
.co.uk.

Report this post »

citydweller says...
7:50pm Thu 6 Sep 12

This is a great event but do you think The Minster could spare a few light bulbs and get the lamps working that sit on the gates to the Dean's Park on the north side of The Minster. They have not worked for over 3 years just like the lamps in St.Helens Square that York Council keep promising are going to be refurbished but remain dark. Don't get me started on the beautiful lamps on the gates of Museum Gardens, also not working, such a shame.

Report this post »

pedalling paul says...
8:03pm Thu 6 Sep 12

Looks fantastic.......and of course it will avoid the difficulty which has previously been caused to cyclist users of Deangate by throngs of viewers, when images have been projected externally onto the Minsters south wall.

Report this post »

jumbojet says...
8:13pm Thu 6 Sep 12

Citydweller you are spot on. Who is in charge of the Minster? Is it the Dean and his crew, the lamps have been out for a very long time and no one gives a toss, just as the skateboarders go up and down the steps at the West End. Why do we have Minster police, they do absolutely nothing, except close the pathway as people are halfway across it, not the sharpest knives in the box. Get your act together York Minster, local people care about our church, and not just the rich and famous.

Report this post »

jumbojet says...
8:13pm Thu 6 Sep 12

Citydweller you are spot on. Who is in charge of the Minster? Is it the Dean and his crew, the lamps have been out for a very long time and no one gives a toss, just as the skateboarders go up and down the steps at the West End. Why do we have Minster police, they do absolutely nothing, except close the pathway as people are halfway across it, not the sharpest knives in the box. Get your act together York Minster, local people care about our church, and not just the rich and famous.

Report this post »

Buzz Light-year says...
9:24pm Thu 6 Sep 12

RoseD wrote:
Seeking POETS to describe the lights! yorkspokenword@yahoo .co.uk.
Generally I find poets to be easier on the ear than POETS.
You don't want to be courting the services of POETS, they're a right shouty bunch.
Subtle poetry is much more powerful.

Report this post »

Yorkie-Clifton says...
1:16am Fri 7 Sep 12

pedalling paul wrote:
Looks fantastic.......and of course it will avoid the difficulty which has previously been caused to cyclist users of Deangate by throngs of viewers, when images have been projected externally onto the Minsters south wall.
Oh dear the poor Cyclist -- Hit again -- Did they have to ride on the Road . This is not on --- We all know how the Cyclist has a right to use the Pavements -- LOL

.

Report this post »

Magicman! says...
1:17am Fri 7 Sep 12

citydweller wrote:
This is a great event but do you think The Minster could spare a few light bulbs and get the lamps working that sit on the gates to the Dean's Park on the north side of The Minster. They have not worked for over 3 years just like the lamps in St.Helens Square that York Council keep promising are going to be refurbished but remain dark. Don't get me started on the beautiful lamps on the gates of Museum Gardens, also not working, such a shame.
Those ones on the gates of Deans Park, when they do work, are quite high glare due to the type of lamps used. So long as the double-headed gas lamp is working at the west front of the minster that should provide adequate light, in addition to lighting within deans park.

St Helens Square lanterns have only been out for a year at the most, and they've been shut off to save money on the gas bill! They're very nice lights, and if I got wind of them being taken down I'd be contacting somebody responsible to see if I could have them for the garden - run them off a calor gas cylinder on a summer evening. I think the Museum Gardens gate lanterns are out of use as they had been getting vandalised. Certain companies make LED modules that fit into these type of lanterns, perhaps the lights could be refurbished with the LED's fitted as this would reduce energy consumption over the previous lamp type, and LED's are pretty much vandal proof.

Report this post »

Omega Point says...
2:08am Fri 7 Sep 12

jumbojet says
Get your act together York Minster, local people care about our church,

OUR church - go there for sevices to worship God in Sunday do you

Report this post »

YSTClinguist says...
5:57pm Fri 7 Sep 12

Buzz Light-year wrote:
RoseD wrote:
Seeking POETS to describe the lights! yorkspokenword@yahoo .co.uk.
Generally I find poets to be easier on the ear than POETS.
You don't want to be courting the services of POETS, they're a right shouty bunch.
Subtle poetry is much more powerful.
From Hit Parade to Classical FM?

I prefer sarcasm myself.

Report this post »

jumbojet says...
6:28pm Fri 7 Sep 12

Omega Point. You need to get up to speed. Of course I go to services to worship God, it is a church, for use of all persons, including numbnuts like yourself, who are obviously unaware that all services are available, including organ and hymns. As a resident you can obtain an entrance card, and as a visitor you can tell the doorman you are going to the service, all for free. York Minster is my church, and all persons throughout the world are welcome, including Roy Hattersley, who wants to use the superb facilities, even though he is a non-believer. Give him Parliament Street ,that's for the 'plebs'

Report this post »

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree