Powerful exhibition on Liverpool’s waterfront commemorates First World War sacrifice
Described as the ‘world’s first fine art augmented reality exhibition’ The Danger Tree was created by painter Scarlett Raven and digital artist Marc Marot and is located at Mann Island. Tony McDonough reports
A powerful and moving gallery and art installation close to Liverpool’s waterfront commemorates and highlights the sacrifice of those who died in the First World War.
Described as the “world’s first fine art augmented reality exhibition”, The Danger Tree was created by painter Scarlett Raven and digital artist Marc Marot.
It comprises 15 oil-on-canvas paintings inspired by poems and events from the First World War.
Located at a retail unit at Mann Island, close to the Pier Head, the works are housed in a gallery built to replicate a bombed-out building from the French/Belgium border of 1916, created by Kave Quinn, an award-winning film set designer.
The free to enter exhibition includes two paintings dedicated to the memory of Liverpudlians who served and died in the conflict. They are:
- The First & The Last – this takes its subject matter from the last letter written home to his mother by Arthur Seanor, a 27-year-old soldier from the Liverpool Pals’ Brigade.
- Years Ahead – this was inspired by the sinking of the RMS Lusitania on May 7, 1915, with the loss of 1,191 lives, many of whom were Liverpool seamen.
With the use of iPads and Blippar’s augmented reality technology, the paintings are enhanced by integrated animation, archive film footage, sound effects and music score.
The power of the poetry is further enhanced by the inclusion of extraordinary and emotional readings by some of Britain’s leading actors, including Sean Bean, Christopher Ecclestone, Sophie Okonedo, Gemma Arterton, Stephen Graham, Noel Clarke, Karen David and Vicky McClure.
In the last few days the exhibition, part of the Pier Head Village Festival, received a visit from the Lord Mayor of the City of London, Dr Andrew Parmley, organised by John Hall, chief executive of Professional Liverpool.
The Danger Tree Exhibition is located at Unit 3, Mann Island, facing the entrance to the Museum of Liverpool, and is open seven days a week, from 11am to 6pm until September 3.