Illumini Presents 'Dickensian Hauntings' At Shoreditch Town Hall From 28 September

Artist Jane Webb returns to London’s avant-garde art scene with a new ‘Illumini‘ event for 2012 – ‘Dickensian Hauntings’ will be taking over the basement of Shoreditch Town Hall from 28 September to 4 October.

Timed to coincide with Charles Dicken’s 200th Anniversary, this year’s ‘Illumini’ event will feature tales of Victorian London – the subterranean space beneath the town hall will be transformed by 50 artists, prop makers and performers into a mysterious space thick with the supernatural and the occult. Here are some of the choice exhibits that will form part of the exhibition:

Jane Webb’s ‘Necropolis of Science Fiction’ – an installation of tombstones and coffins featuring Jane’s signature robots
Wendy Allan’s ‘The Great Stink’ – strange ‘light pipes’ with liquid suspensions
KJ Barham’s ‘The Death of Julia Thomas’ – a macabre recreation of a murdered corpse
Joss Carter’s ‘The Skull Kollector’ will include a display of skulls that Joss collects as one of his hobbies…
Robert Ivan Lackerstein’s ‘Funeral Parlor Mirror is not at all what it seems – it’s dusty surface conceals a terrifying secret

In addition to the static displays at the Illumini event there will be live performances on the opening night, including Birgitta Hosea who will be bringing her skills as a medium – expect to see ectoplasm and automatic writing as she channels the spirits of dead actresses from the silver screen. Aardvark Productions will also be presenting their headless French aristocrat to entertain the crowds, Mr Dickens and Mrs Lovett the piemaker will walk amongst the visitors and the popular Circus Company will return with their illuminated juggling as will ‘Glowman’ with his amazing light performance.

Illumini’s ‘Dickensian Hauntings’ will have a new feature this year – the week-long exhibition will include special guest speakers for the first time. There are a whole catalogue of talks and panel discussions – for example Richard Holland will be covering the haunted places of London on Saturday 29 September, Robert Hulse from the Brunel Museum will be recounting the tales associated with this monumental Victorian achievement and Jenny Phillips will be discussing the possible identify of Jack The Ripper.

You can see the full list of artists, performers and guests at the Illumini website here. If you’re planning on attending the opening night of ‘Dickensian Hauntings’ I would suggest turning up very early to avoid disappointment – Jane Webb’s extravaganzas are always fantastically popular, particularly when they are held at this venue. Just to whet the appetite you can find links to the last two Illumini events that I attended here and here which will give you a feel for what to expect.