MERGE IS BankSIDE'S ANNUAL ARTS, MUSIC AND PERFORMANCE FESTIVAL WHERE ARTISTS DRAW UPON THE RICH HERITAGE AND CONTEMPORARY CULTURE OF BANKSIDE, LONDON se1.
12 May- 4 JUNE 2017
MERGE Bankside is a festival curated by Illuminate Productions, created in collaboration with Better Bankside. It is supported by Tate Modern and Southwark Council.
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Watch the highlights from MERGE Festival 2011-2014, all projects were produced by Illuminate Productions. Emerging and established artists from around the world brought their creations to London. This festival runs every year, set in Bankside. supported by Better Bankside, Tate Modern and Arts Council England. MERGE Festival just completed its 5th year with a fantastic new programme of art, science and performance.
FEATURED EVENT 2016
Experience Bompas & Parr’s supernatural voice installation at Hilton London Bankside’s swimming pool. ‘Voice of God’ is a world first; the only time that infrasound has been creatively used to give people a spectral visitation.
The creative duo have worked with acoustic scientists to design and build this sound-based installation that appears to connect you with the supernatural. The physical installation poses questions about consciousness, our perception of the physical world and our understanding of the supernatural.
events 2016
The Riverside Stage showcases original song writing and musical talent on the river walkway outside of Tate Modern, by the Millennium Bridge. The weekend will be curated by Sister Ray and New Roots.
The Riverside Stage showcases original song writing and musical talent on the river walkway outside of Tate Modern, by the Millennium Bridge. The weekend will be curated by Sister Ray and New Roots.
Keeping up appearances during a live food demonstration at Borough Market, whilst trying to save the dish of the day, will escalate into a ludicrous display of antics in this interactive physical slapstick comedy.
'Imagination is the only weapon in the war against reality.' Lewis Carroll. Experience an out of the ordinary journey to and from work, and let us inject some energy and humour to your commute. Immersive pop-up art, music and theatre will take place at various points along Blackfriars Road, drawing upon infamous characters from the area and the rich history of Southwark. We’ll bring a smile to.
Join us for boogie, bingo and banter. This theatre piece, part of ‘Time To Be Late’ in partnership with Southwark Council, will celebrate a shared strength and dignity in unity. Stand up against the injustice that threatens to destroy our homes, history and identity all while dancing the night away. ON THE LINE draws parallels between Thatcher’s “Divide and Rule” tactics and today’s political agenda, opening up a moment in recent history and making it more immediate today. A 60 minute play followed by 80s disco.
There’ll be a big surprise in store for people on Blackfriars Road on 30 September and 1 October to celebrate the centenary of the shooting down of a Zeppelin airship over Blackfriars Bridge. London-based outdoor arts company Bureau of Silly Ideas has a plan up its sleeve to commemorate this in a unique way.
MERGE will be collaborating with Resonance FM for a show which will include live music, an interview with Sam Bompas from Bompas & Parr, and interviews with the directors of Time To be Late and Demonstrations Gone Wrong – all part of this year’s MERGE.