Liverpool's Royal Albert Dock is preparing to host an art installation that replicates the Northern Lights. The 10-day spectacle, which symbolises the transition of seasons and the arrival of brighter days, kicks off next week.
The installation, dubbed Borealis, is the creation of artist Dan Acher. It combines technology and natural elements, with beams of light passing through cloud particles to mimic the mesmerising Northern Lights.
The display's appearance will vary based on weather conditions such as wind, humidity, and temperature, much like the actual phenomenon. The installation was so well-received at Singapore's Gardens By The Bay Supertrees that it has become a permanent feature.
Borealis can be viewed from restaurants and streets surrounding the Royal Albert Dock. It's not impossible it could be seen from further afield - the summit of Moel Famau on the Denbighshire-Flintshire border is reckoned to give the best views of Liverpool from North Wales.
However, for a immersive experience, a trip across the Mersey will be needed. The installation is accompanied by a celestial soundtrack from French composer Guillaume Desbois.
Borealis will be in Liverpool from Thursday, March 20 to Sunday, March 30. The experience is entirely free, with no need for tickets, reports the Liverpool Echo. Sign up now for the latest news on the North Wales Live Whatsapp community
‘Borealis’ has already exhibited in more than 40 other cities across the globe. In Liverpool, you’ll find the installation on Hartley Quay, by the Maritime Museum, which is between Albert Dock and Canning Dock.
Last month, an enduring landmark nearby was moved ahead of a massive building project. The five-tonne HMS Conway anchor, which has resided outside the Maritime Museum for nearly 40 years, was hauled away to the north steps of the Museum of Liverpool, near Mann Island.
HMS Conway was a 19th-century wooden naval training ship that was originally stationed on the Mersey before being moved to the Menai Strait during World War II. While being towed back to Birkenhead for a refit in 1953, she ran aground near the Menai Suspension Bridge. The vessel was wrecked and, later, destroyed by fire.
The anchor's relocation was necessitated by Liverpool's Waterfront Transformation Project. This will bring significant renovations to both the International Slavery Museum and the Maritime Museum, including a new entrance in the Dr Martin Luther King Jr Building, with an impressive iron and glass bridge linking to galleries in the Hartley Pavilion.
On January 5, the museums were closed, with a special libation ceremony held to mark the redevelopment. The reopening is anticipated for 2028. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
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