Hull launches as UK City of Culture 2017

Hull has revealed the first of a series of events taking place during its year-long stint as the UK’s City of Culture for 2017.

The programme launched on New Year’s Eve with the opening of documentary filmmaker Sean McAllister’s Made in Hull event, which involves local and international artists using everything from large-scale projections to art installations to transform Hull’s buildings, streets and public spaces. The free, un-ticketed event will run over seven evenings in total until 7 January.

The team behind Made in Hull also includes production designer Ala Lloyd, whose previous work includes the London 2012 Olympic Games, lighting designer Durham Marenghi and sound designer Dan Jones.

Made in Hull

A highlight is artist Jesse Kanda’s multi-screen sound installation, which looks at the rave scene in 1990s Yorkshire, recreating a club scene from the time.

Local visual artist Helga Gift, film producer Chris Hees, film and photography studio Sodium, interactive arts company Invisible Flock and Hull-born artist Preston Likely have also designed a series of installations for the event, all of which have been created to reflect different cultural and historical associations with the city, including caravanning and rugby.

Other upcoming events include REDboard, which will see billboards across the city transformed to showcase work by local creative talent on a monthly basis, and the opening of Ferens Art Gallery on 13 January, which will showcase work by local artists for the Hull Open Exhibition’s 50th anniversary later this year.

“Create an emotional response”

Martin Green, CEO and director at Hull 2017, says: “The ambition for Hull 2017 has been to create a year-long programme that speaks of the city, its people, their creativity and energy.

“With Made in Hull, artists have created an unmissable, immersive tapestry, which we hope will inspire, amuse and create an emotional response among everyone that experiences it. It’s just the start of an amazing year that will see hundreds of events in every corner of the city, to be enjoyed by the people of Hull and visitors alike,” Green adds.

More events will be revealed later this month, including new commissions unveiled as part of Look Up, a series of public art installations. For more information about Hull 2017, head here.