The Commissions
Instead of a live festival in 2020, we concentrated our energies on commissioning new work from some amazing artists, all of which are presented here, online and for free.
Aerial is more than a festival. It is intended as a platform for new work inspired in some way by the natural, cultural or social history of Cumbria and each of these commissions reflect that.
Take your time to explore an uncharted landscape of new music, poems, essays, sound art, films and podcasts.
Featuring
Hayden Thorpe, The Quietus, Lone Taxidermist, Caught by the River, The Dark Outside, The Willowherb Review, Richard King, Rob St John and many more
Prelude 2020
The Quietus & The Willowherb Review
Ten international artists respond to the events of 2020 in words and sounds, inspired by Wordsworth’s epic poem The Prelude. Read/Listen here.
Aerial
Hayden Thorpe
Aerial has commissioned new work from Kendal born Hayden Thorpe, a stunning collection of new songs inspired by the Lakes. Listen here.
Marra!
Lone Taxidermist
Short films reflecting on life growing up as a first generation immigrant in small town Cumbria, set against the esoteric rituals and traditions of the area. Expect music, art and general all pervasive weirdness. Watch here.
Caught by the River
Stuart Maconie & More
Words and sounds featuring BBC’s Stuart Maconie, author Roy Wilkinson, the UK’s foremost field recording artist Chris Watson, Helen Mort, music from Jack Cooper (Modern Nature) and much more. Listen here.
10 Years of Corbel Stone Press
Richard Skelton, Autumn Richardson & Guests
Celebrate the 10th anniversary of Corbel Stone Press with music and films from Richard Skelton and Autumn Richardson, plus spoken word contributions from many of their acclaimed poets and writers. Browse here.
Da-Dark Outside
Various Artists
A one-off 24hr online radio broadcast featuring sounds and music no-one has ever heard (or will hear again) inspired by the legacy of artist Kurt Schwitters. Listen here.
Sounds of Silence
Various Artists
Sound works from artists with deep bonds to Cumbria inspired by the Lakes in lockdown, commissioned through an open call. Listen here.
No One Can Own A River
Richard King & Rob St John
Inspired by Raymond Williams’ theories of vocabulary and culture, the film examines the themes of King’s book The Lark Ascending to explore received ideas about our national relationship to the countryside. Watch here.
Words from the Water
Various Writers
Three wild-swimming writers discuss the currents flowing between swimming, life-writing and poetry. Listen here.