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Singh twins launch an animated Liverpool

30/ 7/2008

WIRRAL artists The Singh Twins will make their own contribution to history with the UK premier of their first animation film entitled The Making of Liverpool.

Inspired by their award winning traditional Indian miniature style artwork, the film celebrates the historical and cultural achievements and changing identity of their home city of Liverpool and is the artists' personal contribution and permanent legacy to Liverpool's status as European Capital of Culture 2008.

Written, directed and produced by Amrit and Rabindra Singh with the support of Arts Council England, The Making of Liverpool brings 800 years of Liverpool's history to life through an animated exploration of one of the artists' well known public commission paintings (entitled Liverpool 800: The Changing Face of Liverpool) which was officially unveiled to Prince Charles on the occasion of Liverpool's 800th anniversary in 2007.

The project, which is part of an international multi arts collaboration, was inspired by a desire not only to showcase Liverpool's fascinating history and creative talent to global audiences but to highlight how its rich diversity and cultural heritage continues to inspire artists outside the city.

The Singh Twins worked closely with Liverpool's Sparkle Media who created the animated sequences and with the well-known Liverpool born actor Mark McGann who did the narration. The animation also features a new song about Liverpool, written, composed and performed by established Wirral-based singer songwriter Steve Mason. Although written independently, the song perfectly compliments both the Singh Twins' painting and the poem they wrote for the animation narrative.

The result is an example of 'art in motion,' which crosses the traditional boundaries between fine art and documentary.

Speaking about the film, the Singh Twins said: "The Making of Liverpool marks a new direction for us - fulfilling a long-standing interest to develop our creativity, and bringing the issues explored in our paintings to a much wider audience through the medium of film.

"But our ultimate goal in making the film was to show others what a fascinating city Liverpool is, and we hope that when they see the animation it will make them as proud of Liverpool as we are. At the same time, we wanted to show how traditional Indian art forms are important and continue to contribute to the development of contemporary art and culture. So in this respect the animation remains true to the Indian miniature style of painting for which we are known".

The private viewing and press launch will take place at FACT - Foundation for Art and Creative Technology on Monday 18 August 2008. The event, which includes the screening, an audience Q&A with the film makers and post-launch party is supported by the University of Liverpool and FACT.