Saturday, August 10, 2013

The age of aquarium - Peixos by Sarruga



Photo courtesy of The Corn Exchange

Peixos: Creatures From The Deep, presented by Sarruga, Newbury town centre, Saturday, July 20

OF all the stunning, fascinating and thrilling events that have been put on by The Corn Exchange as part of its Outdoor Programme in the last few years, Insectes - A Night Carnival is probably the one that has left the strongest imprint on the minds of those that saw it in July 2011. And so, when it was announced that Spanish artists Sarrugia would be returning with an aquatic-themed parade, the excitement in the town was palpable, heightening even further as hundreds gathered along Northbrook Street as dusk fell on Saturday to witness the spectacle.

Powered by cyclists, the sea creatures floated, bobbed and swam their way along Northbrook Street as pumping music pounded; with clownfish spurting steam and the shark following on behind, snapping at the crowd, this was not a relaxing underwater experience; this was the raw power of watery nature in dark light form. Shoals of angelfish and disco ball-topped seaweed added to the atmosphere, as the larger creatures sent the crowd lining the street scattering with shrieks of delight and mock-fear.

The parade culminated in the Market Place, transforming it into a giant aquarium, complete with a distinct fishy smell, where the shark made short work of the other creatures, turning off each of their lights in turn until only the king of the sea remained.

The Corn Exchange’s next outdoor event will be Ablaze: a Festival of Fire, on the evenings of September 6 to 8, when braziers and animations will transform the Kennet and Avon Canal into a world of fire and music.

  • First published in the Newbury Weekly News on Thursday, July 25, 2013

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