Liverpool Cathedral are expecting to receive thousands of visitors this month as its latest major art project, Peace Doves, finally opens on the 21st May.
Created by renowned sculptor and artist Peter Walker, the mass participation art installation will feature over 15,000 paper doves suspended in the cathedral.
The installation, which is accompanied by a soundscape from composer David Harper, was originally scheduled to open last May but was postponed due to the pandemic.
Before lockdown visitors to the cathedral, along with local school children and community groups were invited to write messages of peace, hope and love onto thousands of paper doves.
The Dean of Liverpool, The Very Revd Dr Sue Jones, said:
“Prior to the pandemic, we saw a record 800,000 people visit us in 2019.
“This artwork builds on previous installations and enables us to continue our mission to be a place of Encounter. We look forward to welcoming people to the Cathedral and we hope that you will encounter peace and the space to reflect on the past year.
“We feel enormously grateful to be able to host this amazing installation at Liverpool Cathedral.”
Peter Walker added:
“What I’ve always found when I’ve been into Liverpool and been up to the Cathedral is, it really is a community place.
“I think having a work where the community has written on these doves and thousands of children have participated in this project is a really important thing to be doing at this time.”
Visitors to the cathedral will also be able to view the return of the popular Angel Wings moving light projection, created by Luxmuralis.
People viewing the installation can take photos and videos in front of the shoulder height, angel wings which pulsate and change colour to a curated soundtrack.
Another new, interactive art installation also going on display is Peace to Ourselves. Visitors will be asked to place a button inside the shape of a giant dove and take a moment to contemplate the past year and remember those who have lost their lives.
The installations will officially open on May 21st and will also feature as part of Liverpool’s LightNight event that evening.
It will run until August 31st, 2021. The installations are free to view but due to COVID regulations, bookings must be made in advance.
Further slots will be released later this month. Visit Liverpool Cathedral’s website for updates.
To book your slot for May visit: https://www.liverpoolcathedral.org.uk/home/visiting-us/a-great-place-to-visit.aspx
