Late Night Art, An Unforgettable Experience!
By Charlotte Moran
Late Night Art came recommended to me by a multitude of sources. Friends, colleagues, lecturers, everyone seemed to possess the same growing excitement for the upcoming festivities. Belfast, with its long history of art forms, whether that be music, theatre, or street art, truly knows how to put on an interactive night of events. I had to know what all the hype was about! I found myself standing on Queen Street on the cusp of what I did not yet know was going to be an adventure of a night.
My first stop was the Golden Thread Gallery. Upon entering, I was greeted by the warmth of an art space in its prime: wine, chatter, and a symphony of artworks coming to life. Multidisciplinary artist John Carson’s exhibition, New Work, taking place on the lower floor of the gallery, reaches into our psyche and crosses the divide of the border between the North and South, utilising music as a source to highlight our similarities. The exhibition encourages conversation and interaction as you become immersed in the music.
Next up, in a sequence of joyous, albeit mind-boggling, events, I stepped foot into what I was told was once a bank but is now a converted art space and studios: PS² = Paragon Studios x Project Space. This art space drew you in with the sound of a lone musician playing a blues-style guitar; the vibe was set from the very first moment. An enriching scene of imagery in multiple forms was cast across the walls, from digital works to print, sculpture, and even film. PS² had it all in their multidisciplinary showcase of artistic talent.
Richard Davis’s installation, Revenant, utilised both sound and sculpture, creating an immersive experience that invited viewers to engage directly with the work. Five sculpted heads inhabited the space, drawing the eye to the multiple faces and forms each sculpture captured. As you moved around the installation, the audio came to life, with voices merging into something resembling a choir. As an audience member, you were not just looking but actively interacting.
Already amazed by what I had been exposed to, I had no idea I was about to walk into my personal highlight of the night. Riddel’s Warehouse is a stunning art space. At first, you walk into what appears to be an abandoned warehouse. It’s dark, grungy, and just right for the work presented within it. Areas are cordoned off due to rubble, with hardly any lighting other than that illuminating the works themselves. With film and installation works, there was so much to see. Taking the stairs up to the second level, the deep history of the building becomes clear. I found myself gazing into the arches of the upper level, trying to imagine what came before.
Late Night Art truly had something on offer for everyone, whether that be first-time gallery visitors, art enthusiasts, or creators. If you haven’t yet been to Late Night Art, get out there and experience some culture! You never know when your mind will be blown along the way!
