This project, to produce a film to be shown at the Forum, during a sold out performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No.5 was a truly special experience, never to be forgotten. The following is from the concert programme – Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in Barrow, Saturday 20 January 2024 7pm
Colin Aldred is an artist, aerial photographer and filmmaker based in Barrow. After teaching Art & Design at Barrow Sixth Form College for 24 years, he started a new venture, training as a drone operator and founding Aerial Artwork in 2015. He now offers an aerial photography and filmmaking service to a wide range of clients across Cumbria and further afield.
He originally became fascinated by the colours and textures of the surface of the earth through an amazing book called Earthwatch, published in 1981. These satellite views and maps became regular sources for his artwork of the time, whilst ecology and sustainability became increasing concerns. More than thirty years on, this enduring interest in the downward view of the earth led to him using a drone to capture his own photographs of the surface of the earth.
The idea to work with Colin came up during a meeting with Maddi Nicholson, Founder Director at Art Gene, and a discussion about ways of connecting the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra’s opening performance with Barrow.
Can you tell us a little more about this collaboration?
I am grateful to Liverpool Philharmonic and Art Gene for the unique opportunity offered by this exciting commission. Very often, clients will request footage of a particular subject, to be then fashioned into a short promotional film. This assignment has been far more creative and open-ended, requiring a great deal of both thought and experimentation. I captured an extensive variety of footage, using a range of cameras and techniques, and was able to incorporate many of my personal interests. This project has allowed me to make stylistic choices that have never previously been an option for me, presented in a format that I have always wanted to use.
The film includes some fantastic shots of Barrow. Can you tell us about the process of putting the footage together?
I have tried to create something that complements the performance of the Orchestra, and provides a link to the town and surrounding landscape. I am proud to say I live in Barrow, and I hope some of that feeling comes across in what I have produced. The slow and gentle movement within the sequences have been chosen so as not to distract from what is happening on the stage. The film is not designed to illustrate or match the music, it is simply somewhere for your eyes to occasionally rest as you listen to the symphony.
The film you see above is the version displayed in the “Place” Exhibition at Art Gene, Bath Street, Barrow-in-Furness LA14 5TY from 9th – 23rd February 2024. (You can find out more about this exhibition HERE). I gave it the title Double-Barrowed, as the film was repeated to the left and right of the stage, each of which was split into top and bottom images, and featured black and white vs colour footage and contrasted the urban and natural landscapes of the town and surroundings.
The images below are from the afternoon rehearsals and the evening performance, with thanks to Elie Gussman and John Rennie for the photographs.
