Trent building becomes digital canvas for Chinese New Year celebrations

The University of Nottingham's iconic Trent Building will be transformed into a huge digital canvas as part of Chinese New Year celebrations. Nottingham Lakeside Arts will host Jixiang (Propitious), a world premiere of a specially-commissioned digital projection in a series of free 15 minute outdoor shows, on 28 and 29 January. Digital artist Barret Hodgson has collaborated with Chinese artists; Ningbo brush painter Jiang Hongsheng, winner of the 'National Golden Prize for Chinese Painting', and virtuoso erhu player Ling Peng, to inspire his 15 minute 'Jixiang' projection which will be set to music, celebrating contemporary and traditional Chinese culture. Director at Nottingham Lakeside Arts, Shona Powell OBE, says: Barret and I have long shared an ambition to use the Trent Building as a canvas for a digital art commission. This year we're realising that aspiration and marking the fact that we've come a full zodiac cycle since first celebrating Chinese New Year. "This is a great occasion for families and friends, and we wanted to create a visually stunning free event which people of all ages can enjoy, and which we hope may also become one of many highlights in our Vice-Chancellor's final year in post." Barret's company Vent Media creates and stages visual media for international live performance events including theatre, music, art and dance. Barret has been a national VJ for many years, collaborating with DJ Yoda, Fat Boy Slim, Ghostface Killah and Roni Size.