Exhibition Gives a “Magical Perspective” on England’s Cathedrals...

An exhibition in Chichester Cathedral’s North Transept is offering a magical perspective on some of England’s most beautiful Cathedrals.

The Cathedral is hosting an exhibition by the photographer Edward Hill who has devised fascinating - “photospheres”. The extraordinary photospheres are created from as many as 100 individual photos taken from the same spot and then put together in a striking circular photomontage.

Edward Hill has exhibited all over the country to great acclaim. Time Out describes his photos as “simultaneously baffling and seductive, reminiscent of the patterns created by a child’s kaleidoscope...photospheres offer a magical perspective - one that would only be available if you had eyes in the back of your head.” The Daily Telegraph writes, “Looking at his photospheres - digital images bent and stitched together to create an all-round view - it comes as no surprise that the photographer trained as a glassblower.” The Scotsman described his photos as “Perplexing, panoramic, eye-catching, infuriating”.

Hill describes his photospheres as “circular photomontages that contain everything visible above, below and around you at a given point - a holistic vision of the world that places you at the centre. Created from up to 100 photographs, each of these total 360 degree perspectives gives a magical all-round view. With an ‘up photosphere’ you are drawn up into space, and with a ‘down photosphere’ you hang suspended above a miniature world”. (A photosphere of Chichester Cathedral is attached below).

This exhibition will be on show to visitors until the end of Sunday 30th March, the Cathedral is open from 7.15am until 6.30pm and all are welcome. There is no charge for entry.

This is the first in a series of exhibitions to take place throughout the year in the Cathedral’s North Transept. April, for example, will see a striking exhibition of 12 hanging banners - representations of Marc Chagall’s “Twelve Tribes” stained glass windows in Jerusalem. These stunning banner “windows” are actually painted on spandex, by the artist Silvia Jahnsons.

The exhibitions are part of a diverse programme of events planned for the year, as 2008 holds two momentous anniversaries for Chichester Cathedral. In 1108, exactly 900 years ago Chichester Cathedral was set apart as sacred space. In 2008, this glorious Cathedral celebrates 900 years since its consecration and also remembers the life of its most famous Bishop, George Bell (1883-1958), who died 50 years ago this year. George Bell is famous worldwide for his life’s work and in particular for his courageous stance during the Second World War.

These two special anniversaries make for a fascinating year at the Cathedral. The programme of events also includes a series of lectures given by a number of famous speakers (April to September), a season of films from around the world to be screened at Chichester Cinema at New Park (4th May - 22nd June), the hugely successful Festival of Flowers from the 29th to the 31st May, a special 900th Anniversary Service especially for schools (September) and a specially devised Community Play involving 6 local schools (June).