Where There Is Light (2020)

Where There is Light is a specially designed installation exhibition to celebrate 20 years of Gloucestershire Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (GARAS). The installation is created and provided by Gloucestershire based, internationally acclaimed, digital arts group, Squidsoup.

Working in partnership with; GARAS; the Everyman Theatre; The Music Works and Gloucester Cathedral; Squidsoup’s artwork provides a truly poignant, immersive sensory experience to visitors, aiming to raise awareness of the crucial work GARAS does to support asylum seekers and refugees across the County.

A bespoke soundscape created in collaboration by the Everyman Writers Lab, The Music Works and Squidsoup, gives an audio narrative featuring stories of people from various countries who are now living in Gloucester and who have used the services that GARAS offers.

Squidsoup installations have featured at galleries, music and light festivals all over the world. “We are delighted to have this opportunity to show our work in a new context and to a new audience, highlighting the struggles that refugees and asylum seekers frequently face, and celebrating organisations that have been set up to help and assist them.” Artist and Founder of Squidsoup, Anthony Rowe.

Where There is Light provides opportunity for all people, whatever their age, background or faith, to learn about and interact with, real social issues that our community face. The Cathedral is honoured to host this exhibition, and for a short time act as custodian to this artwork that brings to life these extraordinary stories of courage.

“The Cathedral welcomes this exhibition that allows us to explore the world of music and light, real and virtual realms during Epiphany. It echoes the Christian themes of different elements coming together to reveal something new for each of us.” Canon Richard Mitchell, Gloucester Cathedral.

Visitors to ‘Where There is Light’ are welcomed to experience the Lady Chapel transformed into an environment where virtual and physical worlds coincide. All are encouraged to become part of the artwork as the light and sound changes and consider the incredible resilience of those whose stories are featured in the soundscape.  We hope you are inspired by the artwork and the work of GARAS in this special space.

Where There Is Light, Gloucester Cathedral UK, 16 January – 23 February 2020.

Partners:

Gloucestershire Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (GARAS)
At GARAS we offer support to those seeking asylum in Gloucestershire, welcoming them when they arrive, advocating for them in their daily struggles, supporting them if they face being sent back as well as helping them adjust to their long term future if they are recognised as refugees. Please see the exhibition boards for more information about us and the work that we do.
www.garas.org.uk

The Everyman Theatre
The Everyman Theatre has worked with GARAS for many years on a variety of creative projects, from film-making to theatre performances and has been involved with a number of events to help celebrate the 20th anniversary of GARAS.
The Everyman commissioned Martin Lytton of the Everyman Writers Lab and Malaki Paterson and Lee Holder of The Music Works to collaborate and develop the sound design for Where There is Light.
www.everymantheatre.org.uk

The Music Works
The Music Works is a registered music charity based in Gloucestershire that transform young people’s lives through music. Working with young people to break down barriers and empower them through music, ensuring that every child and young adult in Gloucestershire has the facilities and opportunities to pursue their passion in music, regardless of background, economic barriers, life condition or circumstance.
www.themusicworks.org.uk

Gloucester Cathedral
Our vision is to seek to be ‘in tune with heaven and in touch with daily life’. This is an inclusive aspiration that sets the glory of a particular place in God’s vision for human flourishing. A spectacular and historic building, Gloucester Cathedral is an extraordinary setting for major services, concerts and art installations, yet also a place for private prayer and reflection.
www.gloucestercathedral.org.uk