Luminous Yarns

Outdoor Projection Trail

The Magic Lanterns - Luminous Yarns are an enchanting exploration of Chester's unique Rows.

Chester Rows are a set of structures in each of the four main streets of Chester, UK, consisting of a series of covered walkways, with entrances to shops and buildings.

They date from medieval era and are built from beautiful black and white timbers.

The colour Foundry were invited to view collections of artefacts at The Grosvenor Museum, relating to a number of stories through history, which chronicle the Rows.

In a series of schools workshops, music was created to accompany each story, along with a digital animation.

These animation created a trail of beautiful mini projections, hidden in the historic nooks and crannies of the rows, each depicting a fascinating Chester story.

God’s Providence House

This house stands at 9 Watergate Street and 11-11A Watergate Row. Its name is said to come from it being the only dwelling to have escaped the outbreak of plague in 1647 and 1648 which sadly killed around 2,000 people in Chester. However, the house was not built until after the plague, so it’s more likely that it refers to the fact that the owners of the previous building escaped the disease.

The Dark Row

Dark Row, on the corner of Eastgate Street and Northgate Street, was given its name because it was enclosed to prevent the sun from spoiling dairy produce sold by the butter and cheese sellers who gathered here. There are accounts of many unpleasant things happening on this Row in medieval times, and of the kinds of people who used to (literally) hang around here. In the 1800s they were described as “those who hang over the Row balconies all day like old clothes!”.

Æthelflæd, Lady of Mercia

Æthelflaed, Lady of Mercia, was the daughter of King Alfred the Great and was one of the most amazing women in Anglo-Saxon England. She was a formidable warrior and a brilliant diplomat leading armies and building fortresses. At Chester, she fought and defeated the Vikings and rebuilt the walls. She also founded the Church of St Werburgh which would later become Chester Cathedral! In 907, Æthelflaed is said to have built a church on the site of St Peter’s at the Cross, not far from where you’re standing today.

Commissioned by:

Refresh

National Lottery Heritage Fund

Arts Council England

Historic England

In Association with:

The Hamilton Project

It inhabited:

The Rows, Chester

Photo documentation by:

Tim Cleasby

The Colour Foundry