Out of this world
How can you experience billions of years of cosmic history in one evening? Answer: at About Us – just one of the awe-inspiring events that form part of UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK
When it comes to live events, Martin Green (inset) certainly knows how to put on a show.
He dazzled the world when he helped to stage the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics.
But his latest project is creating an even bigger bang – quite literally.
Martin is now chief creative officer of UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK, a oncein-a-lifetime series of free events taking place across the UK this year.
Among them is About Us. This epic open-air experience, created by 59 Productions, the Poetry Society and Stemettes, combines live performances, multimedia installations and poetry to create a thrilling ride through 13.8 billion years of cosmic history since the Big Bang.
The week-long shows feature stunning animations beamed nightly onto landmark buildings. A score by acclaimed musician Nitin Sawhney accompanies the shows, performed by local choirs.
Following spectacular shows in Paisley and Derry-londonderry, About Us will now travel to Caernarfon, Luton and Hull.
Project director Lysander Ashton explains that About Us was inspired by research by a US professor of psychology showing that people who had recently experienced awe of some kind – whether from music or enjoying the view from a mountaintop – exhibited measurable physical and mental health benefits. “That was our jumping-off point,” he says. “There can be few things more aweinspiring than the origins and mysteries of the universe.
“Every atom in our bodies can be traced back to deep space and time; we’re connected to every living thing on Earth, and our lives are defined by our relationships with others. About Us will shine a light on the magic and awe in the most everyday object or moment.”
The event is one of 10 projects that will be touring the country as part of UNBOXED, the biggest and most ambitious programme of creative events ever held in the UK. Martin believes it is an even bigger creative achievement than the launch of the London 2012 Olympics.
“The Olympic ceremony was relatively straightforward as it was held in one place in the capital,” he says.
“This is happening across the UK, taking great-quality events and cultural activity to places that often don’t get that sort of thing.”
Martin believes the positive message of UNBOXED, which is supported by all four governments in the UK, will provide a real boost after the past couple of years.
“Following the pandemic, people are loving being outside, being together again and enjoying community experiences,” he says.
“And great creative work has always helped engender a spirit of positivity, offering light in the dark and demonstrating that there is actually humanity and much that is good in the world.”