Kromek

Primary schoolchildren from across County Durham will soon be assembling solar powered lanterns that when put together will form an important part of the diamond theme installation titled Diamond Garden (2023) at this year’s Lumiere. The free-to-attend, four-day event will take place from 16-19 November 2023 in Durham.

Combining art with technology, Kromek Group plc has partnered with Artichoke, the producers of Lumiere, who have tasked the Sedgefield-based technology firm with designing a solar powered diamond shaped lantern that can be assembled by the children, whilst maintaining the ability to inject their own artistic flair.

Artichoke, in collaboration with OASES, Durham University Science Engagement and the Durham Energy Institute are working with primary schools across Durham and Bishop Auckland to educate young people on the importance of renewable energy and teach them about the evolution of energy.

Once completed, the diamond lanterns will be suspended around local artist, Mick Stephenson’s large-scale diamond installation creating an illuminated diamond garden in a new commission for Lumiere.

Lumiere, the UK’s light art biennial, will once again transform Durham city’s streets and buildings into captivating light installations. Beyond the lights, Lumiere’s established Learning and Participation programme and volunteering opportunities have benefitted over 12,000 local people and schoolchildren since 2009, inspiring ongoing artistic endeavours and providing learning resources.

John Atkins, head of product design at Kromek said: “This project has been an incredibly rewarding experience which more importantly provides important life lessons for our younger generation.

“By working in collaboration with Artichoke, this project proves that innovation, art, and education can come together to create something truly remarkable.”

CEO and Co-founder of Kromek, Dr Arnab Basu said: “At Kromek, we believe in the power of innovation and education, and our partnership with Artichoke UK Trust for the Durham Lumiere festival perfectly embodies these principles.

“This year we celebrated our 20^th birthday and to mark the special occasion each employee at Kromek has dedicated 20 hours of volunteering to projects that can have a real impact in the local community.

“John’s knowledge and expertise have provided immense value to a project which has shown many children how powerful it can be when you combine art with technology.”

Beth King Artichoke Head of Learning & Participation said: “Each Lumiere, the Learning and Participation programme creates new opportunities for the local community to take part in and develop skills, demonstrating County Durham’s creativity on a national platform.

It’s been a pleasure to work alongside Kromek on Diamond Garden. They were up for the challenge and responded with keen interest and enthusiasm to be involved in a project that engages the Durham community. Their knowledge and confidence in helping create the diamond lanterns were essential and they’ve been an important link in tying the educational and creative elements to this exciting, new installation.”

ENDS

CONTACT: JOSH MASON 01325 363436

About Kromek Group plc

Kromek Group plc is a leading developer of radiation detection and bio-detection technology solutions for the advanced imaging and CBRN detection segments. Headquartered in County Durham, UK, Kromek has manufacturing operations in the UK and US, delivering on the vision of enhancing the quality of life through innovative detection technology solutions.

About Lumiere

Lumiere is the UK’s light art biennial produced by leading arts producers, Artichoke and commissioned by Durham County Council with funding from Arts Council England. In 2023, Lumiere will return to Durham from 16-19 November. Since 2009, Lumiere has presented 270 bold installations enjoyed by over one million attendees across Durham, Lumiere London 2016 and 2018 and Lumiere in Derry~Londonderry, Northern Ireland as part of the celebrations for City of Culture 2013. Past highlights include French artist-architect Jacques Rival’s playful snowdome, I Love Durham (2011), Fujiko Nakaya’s Fogscape #03238 (2015), Catherine Garret’s extraordinary 3D whale in the river, Mysticète (2015), Jim Campbell’s Scattered Light and Berlin-based artist, Mader Wiermann’s mesmerising artwork on the Brutalist building, Apollo Pavilion, Apollo 50 (both 2021). Past Lumiere highlight videos here.

About Artichoke

Leading UK arts producers, Artichoke, works with artists to create extraordinary and ambitious public art in cities, the countryside and on coastlines around the UK.?Artichoke believes in the transformative power of art to undermine the mundane and disrupt the everyday to create a new kind of world that we’d all like to live in.

Over the last 16 years Artichoke has produced more than 25 ground-breaking productions including the inaugural Artichoke project, Royal de Luxe’s The Sultan’s Elephant (London in 2006); La Machine’s 50-foot high mechanical spider for Liverpool’s Capital of Culture celebrations (2008); Antony Gormley’s One & Other commission for the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square (2009); Lumiere, the landmark light art biennial events produced in Durham, Derry-Londonderry and London; Deborah Warner’s Peace Camp commission for the London 2012 Festival with Fiona Shaw and London’s Burning, a festival commissioned by the City of London Corporation to commemorate the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London (2016). Recent projects include Sanctuary (2022), the 65ft Covid memorial, designed by American artist David Best and built by 500 community members, set alight in a moment of catharsis for the nationand The Gallery (2022), a new public art initiative taking over billboards and digital screens with art, sparking national conversation.