The appalling tragedy of Turkey and northern Syria is beyond comprehension. As the accusations fly about unstable buildings despite money to ensure earthquake proof structures, arrests are being made and blame hurled, some say to distract attention from the appalling death toll, almost 30,000 and rising. Then there’s the lack of supplies and professionals coming to give what help is possible. However, there is no time for repercussions all efforts have been concentrated on finding survivors and each one has been celebrated but the heartbreak has been those entombed beneath the rubble, apart from miracles please God, authorities say now it’s a recovery operation.
VAN GOGH ON THE MOVE
What a treat. I was taken to the Van Gogh Immersive Experience on Friday, a Christmas present from my cousins Pamela and Sandra and it was quite something. Carlisle Memorial Church Belfast is now an arts venue, flexible and impressive, for the last number of months it has been a wonderland. Enter the big front door, as I did as a young bride all those years ago but now into a series of wide corridors each holding the story of the artist and his works, then a side room with a big vase which by some technical magic fills with flower paintings by the artist, vibrant deep purple irises, red roses, pink peonies – mesmerising. That’s the word for the whole exhibition.
When you move into the main hall, high walls, smooth floor, deck chairs with fabric seats in Van Gogh print. A continuous landscape covers the walls accompanied by a soundscape which envelopes the watchers. Patterns even reach the floor. The colours are intense, so often the sunshine yellow of sunflowers, we hear his thoughts, ““““`”If you truly love nature you’ll see beauty every where.”
One minute we’re behind a waterfall the next in a forest, then a cornfield, later looking at the painting Starry Night Over The Rhone 1888, a town on the edge of a lake but the amazing thing is the water is moving, a sailing skiff sails by, lights turn on and off in the houses, a seagull flys past. In other painting blossom falls from a peach tree, crabs move, a lizard walks along a branch of a tree and in his self portrait the artist’s eyebrows twitch! A staggering examle of virtual reality. This is the magic of the Van Gogh experience – electronics, computerisation, what ever it is that makes this an immersive experience it is spectacular. As the blurb says, cutting-edge 360-degree digital projections, a one-of-a-kind VR experience, and a uniquely atmospheric light and sound show. This unique experience brought to you by Exhibition Hub has already thrilled 2 million visitors in the USA. Become completely immersed in the works of art around you, and feel the shift in reality as you dive deep into the world created by Van Gogh’s brush strokes.
I wonder what the artist would think of re-working his art, probably be quite pleased once he got his head round the modern technology digital art as he says: “I dream my painting then I paint my dreams.” You can get all information and book by accessing Van Gogh the Immersive Experience on line. It runs until March at least.
CHILDS PLAY
Oh to be a young person, excited about life and wanting to gain all the knowledge going. School wasn’t for me and I was asked to leave when I was 15 but if there had been an NI Science Festival on the go I’d be beating down the doors. There is something for everyone young and old but it’s children, teens and twenties who I reckon will enjoy it most. The blurb promises: From biochemistry to physics, ecology to geology, discover how you, the universe and everything in between behaves as NI Science Festival returns with an interstellar programme of over 200 public events from 16 – 26 February 2023. The line up is indeed out of this world, here are some.
The Zoo will be answering questions about breeding programmes and how important they are, discussing how they are organised with a walking tour around the compound which promises to be fascinating. Ask the question ‘Am I made of Stardust?’ And you’ll find out when Maggie Aderin-Pocock arrives at the Whitla Hall at 3 p.m. on Sunday19th February. One event that sold out almost immediately is the talk by Hamza Yassin also in the Whitla Hall. Aimed at 7 to 12 year olds he’s their environmental hero not because he won Strictly but because he is the wild life cameraman who talks to them on television and takes them on wonderful wild adventures.
‘Painting with Light’ is a fantastic photography technique where you illuminate parts of your picture with a torch or other light sources to add emphasis and colour to certain objects during a long exposure. In this workshop, you’ll get a chance to experiment with light painting and the opportunity to create one-of-a-kind, unique and creative images which will then be printed and transferred onto T-shirts at the end of the workshop. Seven to 12 year olds.
Let Your Mind Wander
Does being covered in gold paint really kill you? A chance to ask Kathryn Harkup who will address the ‘Superspy Science’ during her presentations in Derry and Belfast and she will give away some of James Bond’s secrets and the science and technology behind 007’s exploits – the arms, technologies, tactics and downfalls of his various foes but could these actually be developed in real life? Could our favourite Bond villains actually achieve world domination? And – if your plan is to take over the world – is it better to use bacteria, bombs, or poison?
Join geopark guide Ian to uncover the secrets of the invertebrates and other creatures living in Claddagh Glen, Fermanagh. Using specialist equipment, Ian will help those who are prepared to get their feet wet to catch and identify different little life forms in the river and on land. Perfect for all nature-lovers and mini-scientists! Suitable for all ages.
Hopefully finding life and joy in a car park will happen on a dry day and you won’t get your feet wet. Here you’re invited to see parking spaces in a new light – truly wild and wonderful places for everyone to enjoy! You can also join nature conservationist, Aoife de Bhál, for a guided walk each afternoon and explore the bizarre world of the creatures living in our cities. This is a bilingual Irish/English event however no knowledge of Irish is needed.
Other subjects include engineering, robots, climate emergency, medicine, conservation, mind and body and the natural world. In the Black Box in Belfast the natural world will feature love potions, impotence cures and beauty tips, even a cure for ageing. Adults only! Elsewhere there’s even ‘Living Autopsy’ on offer.
And the list goes on. You can ‘Shoot for the Stars’ in Armagh Planetarium, a careers event giving low down on space, and on a more down to earth event, the beginners guide to the ‘Science of Compost’ at Hillsborough Castle Gardens and in W5 Queen’s Quay in Belfast, ‘Cyber Security – Hi To The Hacker’ .
The organisers of this mega event have drawn on the top professionals to take part including Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell who combines astronomy and poetry, no surprise this event is sold out already.
Toddler Treats
And that’s not all, March sees another remarkable Festival. To my mind children’s theatre is one of the most exciting happenings on offer. I’ve watched primary school pupils blossom from shyness to happy exuberance inside a couple of hours, they can’t believe their eyes and there’s no one to tell them to sit still and be quiet. So Young at Art Belfast Children’s Festival 2023 is going to be a magnificent treat. For ten days from 3rd to 12th March, this charity is celebrating it’s 25th Anniversary with a programme of spoken word music and song but that doesn’t tell the tale.
There’s the ‘Invisible Man’ suitable for children aged 4 plus who will be mesmerised by the floating coffee pot and other bazaar happenings. There’s the magic of the Little Murmur dance theatre company telling a true story with wonderful tricks of sight and sound. One of the most important shows is ‘Nobody/Somebody’ for teens and young adults. This is a new opera created for and with young people featuring current issues they are facing every day. Northern Ireland Opera join with the Ulster Youth Orchestra for this innovative production.
This is the Festivals 25th birthday and after more than two years of gloom these ten days will be full of fun and colour for both children and their parents. Toddlers dancing with professionals, following their steps and turning into little ballerinas, a ‘Baby Rave’, there’s an unusual artist using unusual methods as he paints and there are luminous light shows. On March 11th the whole family is invited to the Big Belfast Birthday Bash in Cathedral Quarter and at the City Hall; circus performers, story telling, a Kiddy Céilí, and more. It’s free, just drop in, no booking required.
Find out more about this festival at www.youngatart.co.uk.
More about the NI Science Festival at nisciencefestival.com
