Join Imagineer at the Daimler Powerhouse, along with resident and associate companies, for three inspiring days of performance and building tours as the Daimler Powerhouse throws its doors open to the public from 28 – 30 August 2021.
On Saturday 28 August and Sunday 29 August from 12noon – 4pm expect live music, performance, exhibitions and interactive activities from Imagineer, Talking Birds, Media Mania, Open Theatre, Highly Sprung, Rebel Manifesto, and Pangaea Sculptors’ Centre, all free.
Outside and inside Daimler, Imagineer present a new commission The Brightest Moon by Midlands based artist Jean Baynham, a large-scale interactive art commission which reflects the historical significance of Daimler on the night of The Coventry Blitz, and looks forward to its future as a Creation Centre.
The 6metre woven moon, installed on the vertical dance wall and created by community members from across Coventry, will provide the inspiration for a collaborative performance specially commissioned for the weekend featuring local performers and musicians.
On the evening of 28 and 29 August join Imagineer for two special performances at 7pm and 9pm, choreographed by Louis Lewinson and Luka Owen, along with live music and short performances from Open Theatre. Whilst these performances are free booking is required.
Artist Jean Baynham describes the themes of The Brightest Moon as connectivity and growth commenting: “We are all connected. We celebrate diversity but behind that is the realisation that we are all part of the same whole. We are in a time of change where it no longer serves us to grow in a material sense. The growth lies in the human spirit.”
Jean added: “Imagineer recognises this growth and the need for change and are achieving this through building on the heritage of Coventry and Daimler through innovation, production and new ways of working. The Brightest Moon is a truly collaborative project and I am very happy to be working with such creative people as part of the opening of the Daimler Powerhouse.”
Highlights on Saturday and Sunday include a chance to visit The Nest, created by Talking Birds as part of the Daimler Powerhouse building with opportunities to view art, participate in art making and to follow the Walk With Me sound walk along the towpath; find out the history of Daimler with the interactive 1932 Lanchester car the first model to be designed and built at Daimler Works; watch the premier of Pangaea Sculptors’ Centre’s new short film exploring connections between hand, earth and gesture accompanied by a live drumming performance; enjoy a new outdoor performance, Traces, from Louis Lewinson as well as beautiful indoor aerial performances from Rebel Manifesto; relax outside with Coventry based musicians in a series of Live Lounges hosted by Media Mania; and experience Highly Sprung’s CastAway, a stunning outdoor performance featuring their unique gyroscopic flying machine and exploring the impact of society on our waterways, taking place at the Canal Basin.
On Monday 30 August, 12noon until 4pm get hands on experience of the marvellous machines that demonstrate what’s possible when art and engineering come together.
Take a ride on Venture – Imagineer’s performance Carousel and step inside Daimler Powerhouse to find out more about projects in the pipeline like Bridge2Bamboo, FLOW and Jack’s Frogs. Join Media Mania in the recording studio and enjoy exhibitions telling the stories of the resident companies and Daimler’s transformation.
Jane Hytch, Chief Executive Imagineer said: “It really is wonderful that we are opening up Daimler to the public! We have been so delighted with the work The Wigley Group have done to preserve and maintain the heritage of the building whilst creating a space that will support not just Imagineer and the resident companies but the outdoor arts sector as a whole and we’ve been looking forward to showing the space off to the people of Coventry and beyond.
“The events, performances, exhibitions and installations over the opening weekend will really bring the building to life and demonstrate what is and can be possible for artists, communities and creative engineers who engage with the space and the companies that are based here. We really look forward to welcoming people over the Bank Holiday weekend.”
The Daimler Powerhouse Opening Weekend is part of the Summer on Coventry Canal programme, celebrating the city’s historic waterway spanning from the Canal Basin, along the 5 ½ mile stretch to Hawkesbury Junction. Join us for a range of community and artistic projects throughout the summer including theatrical wonders, magical stories, and innovative creations running until 12 September.
Summer on Coventry Canal is part of #GreenFutures programme funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, with support from Garfield Weston Foundation and Severn Trent Community Fund. Working with Canal & River Trust, Imagineer, Highly Sprung, Studio Morrison, Super Slow Way, Coventry Libraries & Lancashire Libraries, BBC CWR & Coventry City Council.
