flow northamptonshire

In addition to the forthcoming Northampton Lighthouse installation, Light Calling is another new and ambitious laser artwork to be delivered by the FLOW team, namely acclaimed artist Jo Fairfax, FLOW designer and manager Graham Callister from Northamptonshire County Council and Laser Hire London, with further support from Daventry District Council and Ignite!

Light Calling recreates one of the former ‘A’ and ‘B’ radio masts on Borough Hill, Daventry marking 80 years since the launch of the BBC Empire Service (now BBC World Service) and the 20th anniversary of the last BBC World Service transmission from Daventry as part of the regional Cargoes art programme.

Four 7.8 watt laser beams will be vertically aligned to create a pyramid of light that projects high into the Northamptonshire night sky, re-creating the outline and form of a former radio mast.  More can be heard about the project here on BBC Radio Northampton’s Breakfast Show at c. 01:45:00 http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/p00qk0rg

A big thank you to our dedicated photographers SteveRSVR, Ian Brock, Keith Park  and Andrew Randall for their fantastic photos (again!) with a selection provided below.  More can be found on the FLOW Northamptonshire Group Pool. 

Light Calling is a free event and will be on view to the public on Bank Holiday Monday 7th May from approximately 9pm.  Earlier that evening local historian Dave Adams will be providing a free guided walk and talk about the history of Borough Hill from 7.30pm.  A further walk led by artist Chrys Allen from the Ignite! team will commence from the installation at approximately 9.30pm, and the beams will be switched off no later than 11.30pm.

Borough Hill car park will be closed to the public from 6pm therefore participants are requested to walk up to the installation from Admirals Way.  Stewards will be on hand to assist with directions and to provide appropriate advice. 

Members of the public who therefore wish to see the artwork will be responsible for their own well-being before, during and after the installation and are expected to dress appropriately for the evening including suitable outdoor clothing and footwear, and are requested to bring their own torches.

Daventry Museum is also hosting a fascinating exhibition about the BBC World Service’s time on Borough Hill on Saturday 5th May at Daventry Town Council offices.  A further local film society event about the town’s heritage is being held at the iCON that evening. 

See you there!