Brighton Festival 2023 is all about participation, togetherness and the delight of trying something new. This year’s Guest Director, musician, DJ and broadcaster Nabihah Iqbal, invites audiences to ‘Gather Round’ for remarkable visual arts events that showcase the spirit of the Festival. From a free large-scale outdoor installation that relies on people working together, to a soundscape that brings the Sumatran rainforest to Brighton – read on for the highlights or click here for this year's visual arts programme…
Groundswell, by award-winning Australian artist Matthias Schack-Arnott, is an interactive outdoor spectacle taking place in St Peter’s Square, in the heart of Brighton. Passers-by are invited to move around on a raised platform that tilts with every step, setting in motion thousands of illuminated balls and creating waves of sound and light. Whether moving with others or alone, this fun, thoughtful piece reminds us of our connection to each other and that our actions impact the world and those around us. Groundswell is a free, family-friendly event that’s available to play with and explore throughout the festival period. It’s presented in collaboration with Brighton Fringe and is made possible by The Pebble Trust, whose annual support of Brighton Festival’s major productions and installations offers audiences innovative and unique ways of seeing and experiencing the city.
The Sleeping Tree brings the sounds of the Sumatran rainforest to Brighton Dome Concert Hall. A world premiere from award-winning arts studio Invisible Flock, The Sleeping Tree uses technology to surround listeners with sounds recorded from the jungle as we follow the path of a family of endangered Siamang gibbons as they wake, roam, and sleep. Constantly changing from hour to hour, your listening experience will be completely different depending on the time you enter. In a special performance, Guest Director and musician Nabihah Iqbal will join with Invisible Flock for a unique sound performance on Sunday night highlighting the connection between humans and the forest.
Another world premiere and Brighton Festival commission is photographer and film-maker Reuben Bastienne-Lewis's first solo exhibition, Parachute - a free exhibition of portraits and videos of the artist’s friends and peers from the music and arts scene of South London, recording their journey into adulthood. Capturing intimate portraits of people, places and events around him, Bastienne-Lewis has created a form of visual autobiography that demonstrates friendship, family, community and love.
A Future Memory is another free exhibition by artist Mohammed Adel running throughout the festival. Adel’s paintings explore his dual British-Bengali identity, using his own home as a reference to pair family albums and imagery to show the uncertainty and awkwardness that come with ideas of culture and belonging.
The iconic Brighton Dome's Grade I and II listed Corn Exchange and Studio Theatre will reopen to the community with the immersive Van Gogh Alive exhibition. Over 3,000 images of the Dutch artist's work will be presented in stunning detail using state-of-the-art technology. The images will be accompanied by sounds, visuals, and even the aromas of Provence. Visitors can also explore the iconic ‘Sunflower selfie’ room, beloved of Instagram feeds the world over, and a ‘Starry Night’ installation which is brand-new for Brighton Festival audiences.
Click here to explore this year’s visual art events and to buy your tickets.