Artist Mark Ware explores 900 years of cathedral history

On 2, 3 and 4 October, Exeter Cathedral will be the setting for a multimedia response to the building's 900 year history and the contributions that craftspeople have made during that time.

900 Years of Light is the culmination of Cathedra 900, an Arts Council England funded project by artist Mark Ware. For the past 18 months, Mark has been exploring the Cathedral and interpreting its art and architecture through photography, abstract photomontages, 3D artwork and sound.

900 Years of Light will be an evening of film, readings, music, and the premiere of Mark Ware’s video composition accompanied by specially arranged music performed by internationally acclaimed trumpeter, Crispian Steele-Perkins and Lyric Strings.

The 900 Years of Light video composition will bring together Mark’s images showing details, patterns and architectural shapes, creating illusions of stillness and movement. During the screening of the work, the cathedral will appear to breathe as its vaulted ceiling is cast with slowly changing light, and the live music resonates throughout the building.

Mark, who is based in Devon, is a visual and multimedia artist whose current work reflects his altered perception of the world brought about by a stroke in 1996 at the age of 39.

Mark said: “Stroke affects everything I do and how I perceive the world. It influences all my art and it keeps me in the ‘here and now’ because of the physical and mental challenges it presents me with. When I look at the images I’ve created, I remember what the temperature was, whether I was in pain, and every detail of how I felt at the time.

“These images are my response to the cathedral, interwoven with music and spoken narrative, and I hope that they will offer a meaningful and rewarding response to the building, helping people to feel at peace and to come away altered in a positive way.

“Cathedra 900 is a profoundly rewarding project. I’m privileged and honoured to be participating in Exeter Cathedral’s 900 year timeline, contributing to centuries of artistic activity within its walls.”

Crispian Steele-Perkins will speak about the music, explaining how it fits into the Cathedral’s timeline. The evening’s events will be introduced by actor Emily Kreider, and will include contributions by filmmaker Michael Bickerton.

A collection of over 1500 of Mark’s digital images are to be donated to Exeter Cathedral’s archive after this event, and Mark hopes that these will provide inspiration for future generations.

900 Years of Light takes place at 7.30 on 2, 3 & 4 October. One of Mark's aims is to make his work available to a wide audience. The ticket price has therefore been kept to a minimum for this event. Tickets are £5 and available from the Cathedral website or at the Cathedral.

For more information about Cathedra 900 click here.

Photo credits: Mark Ware / Peter Stephens