A new art installation will project poems by artists like Jake Bugg onto a tram bridge to celebrate Nottingham’s status as City of Literature.
‘Line of Light’, created by artist Jo Fairfax, will project five-word poems in huge letters onto the underside of the Karlsruhe Friendship Bridge over Station Street.
Two sets of parallel lines, mirroring the tram tracks above the bridge, will light up and pulse as a tram goes overhead and the patterns of light will continue under the tracks to the canal.
The poems will change every day and include work from Byron, Lawrence, Ovid and Nottingham residents.
The singer Jake Bugg, who comes from Clifton has also sent in a line to be projected onto the bridge.
It will launch on Wednesday, November 2, and the project was commissioned by Nottingham City Council as part of the regeneration around Station Street.
Jo Fairfax said: “The inspiration for ‘Line of Light’ comes directly from Nottingham and the exact location was a significant influence on the overall design.
“I also wanted to celebrate the wonderfully rich literary position that Nottingham holds.
“Although ‘Line of Light’ is rooted in local references, I wanted the poems to be international and across time. I researched thousands of poems, which was an amazingly enriching and humbling journey.
“In the end I went with my instinct of what would look just right on the Station Street wall – it wasn’t a qualitative decision because all the poems were amazing. I want each line to act as a depth charge for people’s imaginations and souls as they go about their business.”
The poems will include specially written works from other Cities of Literature and more than 100 members of the public.
Nottingam City Council portfolio holder for culture, Dave Trimble, said: “Line of Light will help provide a sense of place, creating an intriguing, vibrant atmosphere and celebrating Nottingham’s status as a UNESCO City of Literature in an eye-catching and thought-provoking way.”
