Rotherham’s skyline will be transformed into an oceanic oasis for three days this month, coming alive with a huge Fish Mobile that will premier in front of the public at Clifton Park from Tuesday 26th July to Thursday 28th July.
The giant balancing mobile, commissioned to celebrate the build-up to Rotherham becoming the world’s first Children’s Capital of Culture in 2025, will stand at 70m tall, and visitors will be able to stare up and watch a shoal of 8m long fish swimming in the sky. In a tent next to the installation, people will also be invited to take part in free creative workshops where they can make their own replica mobiles to take home.
It is the first public art installation of its kind and has been designed and created by international production studio, Kaleider, in collaboration with a group of young trainees employed by Rotherham Council.
Seth Honnor, Kaleider’s Artistic Director, said: “The idea for the Fish Mobile all started with a moment of simplicity and wonder. During lockdown last year, I started sending mobile making kits to friends and family, and we discovered that a mobile can help to slow things down and enthral us deeply.
“I wanted to share this experience more broadly and began thinking about scaling it up. When Rotherham Council got in touch to ask if we’d be interested in partnering on Children’s Capital of Culture in 2025, it was the perfect fit and we agreed to team up to make a giant kinetic sculpture.”
Councillor Dave Sheppard, Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion, added: “Our young trainees, who have been employed by us for the past seven months as part of the Children’s Capital of Culture pilot programme, have worked alongside Kaleider to create and bring to life this huge piece of artwork. It really demonstrates their creativity and provides a brilliant taster of what to expect in 2025.”
The Fish Mobile will be on show to the public from 26th to 28th July at Clifton Park and it is free to attend. Visitors will be encouraged to get creative and make their own mobiles using the kits provided in the tent next door to the mobile, and they can upload photographs of their creations and the giant fish mobile on www.fishzine.co.uk.
Commissioned by Rotherham Council and funded by a government grant, the Fish Mobile forms part of a programme celebrating the lead-up to Rotherham becoming the world’s first Children’s Capital of Culture in 2025, which has seen creative venues and organisations in and around the town hosting an increased programme of events and experiences.
Alongside the creative events programme, local young people are also being offered life-changing skills development and training in the creative and cultural sectors, funded by the UK Community Renewal Fund.
Visit www.rotherham2025.com to find out more about Children’s Capital of Culture and upcoming events.