Phoenix City 2021 is an audiovisual work which combines documentary and speculative fiction to observe Coventry through the process of UK City of Culture. The film traces Coventry’s relationship to the image of the phoenix - stemming from Donald Gibson’s and Basil Spence’s use of the mythical bird as symbol to represent their respective town-planning and cathedral proposals for Coventry realised in the 1950’s – and the hypothesis that UK City of Culture was imagined to be the city’s next phoenix moment.

The work features an original soundtrack by Abul Mogard, with the collaboration of Jaguar Land Rover Band (now Brass Band of Central Midlands) and Royal Leamington Spa Bach Choir.

Phoenix City 2021 was commissioned by Coventry Biennial for exhibition at the Herbert Art Gallery during UK City of Culture 2021.

Themes:

Arts-led regeneration; UK City of Culture; mega-cultural events; placemaking; grassroots cultural production; cultural policy; electronic music.

Synopsis:

In 2017 Coventry was announced to follow Hull as the next UK City of Culture. The announcement prompted the green light on a number of city centre developments in Coventry, including a new train station, swimming pool and a revamped shopping precinct, with plans for a Very Light Rail system advancing in the background.

Phoenix City 2021 examines the UK City of Culture award’s ‘city arisen from the ashes’ narrative in a journey through architectural models, gleaming student accommodation high-rises and an all-night dance club housed in a disused bingo hall.

Technical details:

Title: Phoenix City 2021
Duration: 24 mins
Date of production: 2021
Format: HD video 1920 x 1080, 6-channel audio.

Also available with stereo or 5.0 soundtrack.

Phoenix City 2021 (Reprise) is an adaptation of Phoenix City 2021, reconfigured from the 24-minute gallery work. The piece features a complete rework of the original soundtrack by Abul Mogard, featuring adaptations of the Introitus and Lacrimosa movements of Mozart’s Requiem. Watch the 16-minute reprise here (recommended to view in fullscreen mode with headphones):

Phoenix City 2021 (Reprise) was supported by Coventry University and University of Warwick.