University of Gloucestershire is proud to bring a 360-degree immersive experience to Gloucestershire in partnership with the Holst Birthplace Trust and the PlayLa.bz research institute to celebrate the 150th birthday of composer Gustav Holst.
The University, Holst Birthplace Trust, who manage the Holst Victorian House in Cheltenham, and PlayLa.bZ have joined forces to bring together academics, students, musicians, innovators, designers and createch artists to produce an original multi-sensory storytelling experience within a five-metre high planetarium dome.
Holst Spaceship Earth – among a range of activities in the town this year to celebrate the 150th birthday of Gustav Holst – will take place at the University’s Park Campus in Cheltenham on Friday, 18 October and Saturday, 19 October. The latter coincides with an open day for prospective students.
Holst Spaceship Earth will feature incredible multi-dimensional projections, Virtual Reality experiences, soundscapes, student-created content and an exclusive premiere of ‘The Transit Of Venus’. This includes new music by immersive ecology designer Mileece, ‘Cosmic Drone Sitar’ by local classical Indian musician Dinesh Patel of the Cheltenham Improvisers Orchestra, and a Gravity Synth audio visual experience by full dome pioneer Leon Trimble.
To book your free tickets for Friday, 18 October, when activities will take place between 5.30pm to 10pm, follow this link: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/playlabzcic/1413171
For Saturday, 19 October when activities will take place between 11am and 3pm, follow this link: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/playlabzcic/1414674
As part of Spaceship Earth, the co-founder of PlayLa.bZ, James Edward Marks, has delivered createch workshops to students from the University’s School of Creative Arts to enable them to engage with a range of technologies and produce audiovisual content for the project.
Supported by Arts Council England National Lottery Project Grants, Holst Spaceship Earth is a contemporary reimagining of peace, wellbeing, equality, nature. It includes concepts around climate awareness as well as inclusive community ideas, all through the legacy and enlightening artistic vision of Gustav Holst.
Born in Cheltenham in 1874 and best known for his orchestral suite The Planets, Gustav Holst is regarded as one of the most iconic, influential and innovative composers of the 20th century.
James Edward Marks, PlayLa.bZ co-founder, said: “Teaming up with University of Gloucestershire’s School of Creative Arts’ switched-on young minds and academic team has been an inspiring experience.
“We worked full tilt throughout the summer break, tinkering with cutting-edge createch and DIY experimental experience design, engaging within the local community’s arts and culture scene, and putting learning into practice in fun and innovative ways. “
Laura Kinnear, curator at the Holst Victorian House, said: “It’s been wonderful working with the University on the Holst 150 project. The students have brought such a different dynamic to Holst’s music and legacy, producing innovative and exciting ideas to challenge our perception of this famous composer.
“We can’t wait to share these creative responses with the community at the dome, enabling them to think about Holst in a new way and appreciate the incredible skills and talents of the young people involved.”
Dr Matthew Lovett, Associate Head of the University’s School of Creative Arts, said: “We’re extremely proud of our collaboration with the Holst Birthplace Trust and PlayLa.bZ to bring the Holst Spaceship Earth project to life.
“It’s an immensely powerful project that has provided our students with incredible opportunities to engage with a range range of technologies, design and produce content for the project, and make important connections with industry professionals for the benefit of their future careers.
“We look forward to welcoming visitors to our Park Campus for Holst Spaceship Earth on 18 and 19 October, including prospective students combining their visit with our open day on 19 October to find out much more about what the University has to offer.”
Contact Details
Name
Jonathan Herbert
Company Title
Corporate Communications Officer
Company
University of Gloucestershire
Company Website
glos.ac.uk
Contact Telephone
01242 714516
Contact Email
jherbert8@glos.ac.uk
