In the heart of Lincoln, a historic city with a rich past, an art spectacle unfolded as the 12th edition of Frequency Festival transformed the city into an experiential playground. Throughout the last weekend of October 2023, this biannual festival showcased an array of artworks by local and international artists under the theme of Emergence.
The University of Lincoln, a proud partner of the festival produced by Threshold Studios, played a pivotal role in bringing the digital extravaganza to life. The university’s support was a testament to its commitment to innovative art across all disciplines: design, engineering, computer science, psychology, and theatre. While the theme offered a fresh perspective on how digital culture could breathe new life into public spaces, the festival also fostered accessible and inclusive cultural experiences, bringing a broad range of audiences together.
Impact of AI, genetic selection, and our coexistence with the natural environment.
Frequency Festival 2023 was a call to engage, create, learn, play, and connect. Through a diverse program of installations, performances, and immersive experiences, visitors explored pertinent issues, including the impact of AI, genetic selection, and our coexistence with the natural environment. A noteworthy example of this exploration was “A Self Portrait of an Algorithm” by Maria Mavropoulou, a series of AI-rendered portraits and animations displayed at St Mary le Wigford Church as part of the festival’s Discovery Zone. Maria’s work delved into how AI portrays itself, sparking discussions about the role of artificial intelligence and databases used in shaping our perception of the world.
Another installation that visitors could physically immerse into was “Co-Existence” by Beccy McCray. Nestled within the Campus Zone, Beccy’s work invited audiences to imagine and visualise how humans, animals, and nature can coexist harmoniously. This originally crafted and powerful work exemplified the festival’s commitment to challenging the status quo, providing a platform for artists to engage with global topics while highlighting the imminent connection with local surroundings.
At the opening of Frequency, Samantha Lindley, Festival Creative Director, shared her excitement, highlighting that “throughout the 12 years of the festival, we consistently saw the positive impact it played in connecting us with our towns and cities by transforming our day-to-day experiences. The festival is open to everyone, and the organisers continue to be grateful to their funders, partners, and collaborators for supporting and enabling this to happen, and for the audiences who bring it to life. The enthusiasm and joy for past festivals made them all determined to make this edition their best.”
Darren Henley, CEO of Arts Council England, who was present at the Frequency Festival’s opening, enthusiastically supported the project and stressed that Arts Council England is genuinely proud to be among the initiative’s funders. “Creativity has the power to connect people, and after what has been an extraordinarily challenging time for most, it’s great to see people being given the chance to come together, discover new things, and to explore the digital world through immersive street art, live streams and performances,” Darren Henley outlined.
Community engagement has been at the heart of the festival since its first edition, and it’s an integral part of what makes this project in Lincoln special. When speaking about public engagement, Uzma Johal MBE, Threshold Studios and Frequency Festival Founder, pointed out that while living in a digital world is exciting and challenging, the festival gives people an accessible platform to explore, experience and debate digital culture and creativity.
Exploring new ideas in unexpected ways.
Indeed, the festival sparks conversations, bridges generational gaps, and fosters connections among people who may not have otherwise crossed paths. Through interactive exhibitions, performances, and workshops, it ignites curiosity and offers a platform for expression, empowering local talents to shine and be discovered. A notable example of this artistic collaboration was “Relay” by Lumo Workshop & The Network at Posterngate, which is home to remains of Lincoln’s Roman South Wall that are over 1600 years old. “Relay” was an installation of multiple light boxes that invited participants to ponder the intricacies of time, gender, our connection to our “humanness,” and social interactions in contemporary life. The artwork strengthened the bonds within the community, infusing a sense of pride in the city’s history and cultural identity.
Frequency Festival 2023 aimed to kindle the creativity within each visitor, underlining the project’s commitment to providing an accessible platform for everyone to participate, learn, and contribute. This ethos turned Lincoln into a hub of artistic experimentation. It brought the city to life with a vibrant tapestry of digital experiences: from shopping malls to the university campus, from Lincoln Cathedral to the kiosk and public squares, the organisers presented artworks in familiar places, exploring new ideas in unexpected ways. In a world where digital is the common language, the festival successfully demonstrated that art, technology, and the community can foster connections, spark dialogues, and shape the cultural landscape for years to come.
