Phoenix City 2021

Phoenix City 2021 is a sound and moving-image work which combines documentary and speculative fiction to observe Coventry through the process of UK City of Culture. The film traces Coventry’s relationship to the image of the phoenix - stemming from Donald Gibson’s and Basil Spence’s use of the mythical bird as symbol to represent their respective town-planning and cathedral proposals for Coventry realised in the 1950’s – and the hypothesis that UK City of Culture was imagined to be the city’s next phoenix moment. The work features an original soundtrack by Abul Mogard, with the collaboration of Jaguar Land Rover Band (now Brass Band of Central Midlands) and Royal Leamington Spa Bach Choir. Phoenix City 2021 was commissioned by Coventry Biennial for exhibition at the Herbert Art Gallery during UK City of Culture 2021. Themes: Arts-led regeneration; UK City of Culture; mega-cultural events; placemaking; grassroots cultural production; electronic music. Synopsis: In 2017 Coventry was announced to follow Hull as the next UK City of Culture. The announcement prompted the green light on a number of city centre developments in Coventry, including a new train station, swimming pool and a revamped shopping precinct, with plans for a Very Light Rail system advancing in the background. Phoenix City 2021 examines the UK City of Culture award’s ‘city arisen from the ashes’ narrative in a journey through architectural models, gleaming student accommodation high-rises and an all-night dance club housed in a disused bingo hall. Technical details: Title: Phoenix City 2021 Duration: 24 mins Date of production: 2021 Format: HD video 1920 x 1080, 6-channel audio. Also available with stereo or 5.0 soundtrack.