Dance Together will be heading to Canning Dock in a celebration of legendary club night Chibuku
Photo by James Ward.

THE 12 artworks which will transform Liverpool's waterfront this month as part of River of Light have been revealed. For 17 nights, from Friday, 22 October until Sunday, 7 November 2021, the waterfront will be transformed into a FREE illuminated outdoor art gallery. 12 large scale light artworks will create a 2km trail in the 4th edition of River of Light. The theme this year is:- 'Rhythm of the Light' with each of the artworks being inspired by the relationship between the City, music and light.

Cabinet Member for Culture and Visitor Economy, Councillor Harry Doyle, said:- "River of Light has become 1 of the cultural highlights each year in Liverpool. Having seen the plans I know it is going to be a great show! As well as the amazing artists it is also a showcase of how brilliantly this City works together with partners like:- Royal Albert Dock, Liverpool ONE, National Museums Liverpool and Liverpool BID all coming together to work with the team at Culture Liverpool to put on such an ambitious event."

Some of the highlights include:-

► Dance Together - Canning Dock Quayside, Museum of Liverpool. A brand new commission bringing together artistic studio Lucid Creates and Suzannah Pettigrew with Chibuku to celebrate recently passing the milestone of 20 years of events in the City. This sound and light experience will bring together archive music from some of the most celebrated nights in the club's history alongside site specific poetry created by multi disciplinary Artist Suzannah Pettigrew. Helen Swan, from Lucid Creates, said:- "I wrote my dissertation on Liverpool's Club scene in the early 2000's and spent many of my formative years inside The Masque, so when Culture Liverpool approached us to commission a collaboration with Chibuku I jumped at the chance to create an immersive experience that celebrates Liverpool's club culture in all its glory. Dance Together is a celebration of the music and people; the family; that have kept Chibuku at the heart of the Liverpool club scene for over 20 years."

This celebration of club culture will be accompanied by a collection of digital images from across the 20+ years of Chibuku in the atrium of the Museum of Liverpool.

► Liverpool, Love of my life - Liverpool, Town Hall. Chila Kumari Burman is 1 of the UK's most celebrated artists and she returns to her hometown for this unique new commission. Inspired by Diwali; which is on the 4 November 2021; and her love of Liverpool, this collection of neon artworks will take over the front of Liverpool Town Hall and be accompanied by an Indian and Bollywood inspired soundtrack. Artist Chila Kumari Burman said:- "I'm thrilled to have been invited to be part of this immersive art show, returning to my hometown of Liverpool is a special honour for me. And I hope my piece will bring joy, inspiration and hope to the people of Liverpool. It is in essence my love letter to this brilliant Town, and to its brilliant communities that make it what it is."

► Spriteworks - Canal Basin, Pier Head. - The 1st outdoor commission from Warrington based artist Pastel Castles, this artwork is inspired by classic 90s computer games. Working in partnership with local collective The Kazimier, Spriteworks brings together a 3D visualisation of classic 2D gaming with a bespoke soundtrack created by the artist on her original Gameboy. Pastel Castles said:- "Taking on this project has allowed me to think beyond the limitations of my usual methods. If 2D pixel art existed outside of my computer screen, what form would it take? How would it look and sound? Could we engage with it in a more meaningful way? I've always been fascinated with the medium of light. Not only is this my 1st endeavour in light sculpture and design, but the exhibit will be accompanied by my 1st piece of recorded music as a solo artist. I am so happy to be a part of this beautiful festival."

► The Pool - Chavasse Park, Liverpool ONE - Jen Lewin has shown her interactive light sculpture around the world and is bringing one of her most celebrated works The Pool to Liverpool. The Pool is a giant field of light comprised of over 100 interactive LED platforms that respond to touch, creating incredible colourful light effects when walked on. The piece will be accompanied by an atmospheric soundtrack curated by the artist.

Details on all of the other artworks being presented can be found at:- VisitLiverpool.Com/RiverOfLight and include:-

► Sonic Runway by Rob Jensen and Warren Trezevant.

► Iconic Site by Sans Facon.

► Trumpet Flowers by Amigo and Amigo.

► Wave by Squidsoup.

► Fly by Night by The Kazimier.

► Light Piano 2.0 XL by Kleurbleur.

► Singularity by Squidsoup and Limelight.

► Saturday Night by Sans facon.

4 of the artworks have been specially commissioned for Liverpool; these are:-
 

► Dance Together.	► Spriteworks.
► Liverpool Love of my Life.	► Fly By Night.

River of Light will be delivered by Liverpool City Council's Culture Liverpool team and is supported by:- the Arts Council England, Global Streets and Festival.Org.
 

Mayor and Chief Constable unite to tackle hate crime

THE Mayor of Liverpool and the Chief Constable of Merseyside Police have come together at the start of Hate Crime Awareness Week to put tackling hate crime at the top of their agenda. Joanne Anderson was elected leader of Liverpool City Council a short time after Serena Kennedy took on the top policing job; the 1st time both organisations have had female leaders; and now they are pledging to make tackling hate crime a priority. Hate crime is hostility or prejudice based on a person's race, religion, sexual orientation or someone who is transgender. Earlier this year there were a number of attacks on the LGBTQ+ community in the City centre. Subsequent to the incidents, Liverpool hosted a public art project which saw a series of emotive slogans that had been emblazoned on placards at the protest replicated on digital billboards across the City as part of a social media campaign across Pride weekend. Work is also under way on a number of art projects in key areas which resonate with the LGBTQ+ community, as well as training with the hospitality, leisure and transport sector on preventing hate crime and ensuring the City is a safe place for everyone.

To support the week of action itself, there are various activities taking place, including:-

► A series of joint partnership Hate Crime Awareness Webinars delivered by the Anthony Walker Foundation.

► A joint leaflet drop in key hot spot areas to help raise awareness of hate crime organised by Merseyside Police and local housing providers.

► Numerous educational hate crime awareness sessions taking place in various locations such as:- Tuebrook Primary Schools and Walton Youth Project.

► A tea and coffee drop in afternoon at the Walton Road Community Café.

► A drop in session with Afghan refugees to build positive relationships and encourage reporting.

► More information on reporting hate crime can be found at:- Merseyside.Police.UK.

Mayor Joanne Anderson said:- "I want us to do much more around making the City a safer place for people of every walk of life. Encouraging people to report hate crime and not be afraid to come forward. It is only by demonstrating the scale of the issue that the Police are able to direct resources at tackling it. I have been really impressed with the response from all partners to the recent homophobic and transphobic attacks and this is something I want us to build on."

Merseyside Police Chief Constable, Serena Kennedy, said:- "What I have been so proud of is the way our community, our partners and policing rallied so quickly to the homophobic and transphobic attacks and took the definite stance that this is not acceptable on the streets of Liverpool. So for me the next steps are around what is it we need to do around educating people about healthy relationships and the way we treat each other. And then practical things like the night time economy and where are the hotspots that policing needs to be. Reports of hate crime have risen during the Pandemic and I would always encourage people to come forward if they have been a victim of hate crime."

Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner, Emily Spurrell, said:- "National Hate Crime Awareness Week is an important date in the calendar for me. It gives us all the opportunity to celebrate and promote the rich diversity of our communities, while coming together to reaffirm and renew our commitment to challenging and tackling all acts of hatred and prejudice. At a time when our country sadly still feels quite divided and, in the wake of a recent increase in incidents of hate crime, it is more important than ever that we remain vigilant to combat discrimination, abuse and prejudice. Let me make it clear, crimes motivated by hate have no place in our society. I'm pleased to be working with partners and communities across the Region to send out the message; loud and clear; that our Region is diverse, it is inclusive and it is welcoming. Those who look to spread and breed hatred are have no place here."