Visitors to Hardwick Park will have the chance to experience a one-night-only art installation event.
For the last 18 months, Durham County Council’s community arts team has been working with composer and interdisciplinary artist Ed Carter to produce a free, awe-inspiring art and sound installation spanning across the historic park in Sedgefield.
Drawing inspiration from work by 18th Century architect, James Paine, when it was formerly the private gardens of John Burdon, Ed has used the park’s history and cultural themes to create pop-up installations of visual and sound artworks as well as live performances, which will be dotted around the park.
On the evening of Saturday 19 March, visitors will be able to attend the Festival of Minerva, named after the ancient Roman festival which took place on this date, and follow the trail to experience Ed’s work.
With Hardwick Park’s picturesque backdrop and dynamic history, the Festival of Minerva is just one example of how the county is an ideal place to host a variety of cultural events and supports its bid to become UK City of Culture 2025.
Following the circuit walk around the park’s lake, the Festival of Minerva will feature installations such as music playing from the tower of the Gothic Ruin – created in collaboration with the Sedgefield Handbell Ringers.
Visitors will also be able to enjoy a serving of black cherry ice cream or blackcurrant flavour sorbet at the former Banqueting Hall, a delicacy traditionally served to its 18th century guests.
Other installations include an original piece of music performed by three oboe players at the Gothic Seat, inspired by John Burdon’s coat of arms, as well as a perspective-defying infinity mirror installation by Studio Vertigo at the site of the former Bath House.
At the Bono Retiro, visitors will also come face to face with a second mirror by Studio Vertigo, filling what used to be the doorway that would have greeted visitors in John Burden’s time.
Behind the mirror will come the voice of poet Gillian Arnett reciting The Spider Poem, a new piece written for Hardwick Park.
Taking place by the Temple of Minerva, the festival’s finale is inspired by the ancient poem
Metamorphoses, written by Roman poet Ovid, which tells the tale of a weaving contest between Arachne and Minerva.
The finale will feature live poetry and music, finishing with a spectacular fireworks display.
The live performances include Gillian Arnett, who will be reciting The Song of Arachnid accompanied by an all-female chorus, and soprano Carole King who will be singing over a harp duet composed by Ed Carter, which has been recorded inside the Temple of Minerva with harpists Venera Bojkova and Sarah Paterson.
The visitor centre will also be displaying large scale artworks inspired by Hardwick Park, produced by members of the U3A Photography Group and Sedgefield Scribes.
The Festival of Minerva is free to attend and will take place on Saturday 19 March, from 5pm.
Visitors are advised to arrive no later than 5.30pm to allow time to follow the trail and gather on Temple Field for the event finale, starting at 6.40pm.
South West Durham News covering news across County Durham.
