Singing farewell

Ann Hamilton's installation 'We Will Sing' in the roof space at Salts Mill has just closed. I've seen it several times but I decided I needed one last look... It's always the vibrant colours, lyrical drapes and folds of the woollen cloaks that attract me most. In fact, if those cloaks were being auctioned off as it closes, I'd buy one! (I'm not aware that they are; I suppose the installation may go on to be shown elsewhere, though it was created specifically for this space in the mill and I don't think it would have the same impact anywhere else. The roof space is a creative event in itself!)

During the time the installation has been on display, people have responded to the artist's request to 'write a letter to the future' and there have been volunteers reading out many of the responses. I imagine that was interesting to listen to - though, of course, with my impaired hearing, it was not possible for me to decipher.  

The lengths of fine blue fabric in the other room have the event name woven into the selvedges. All the cloth used was made by William Halstead, a local manufacturer of high quality wool and mohair cloth, based in the same mill in Bradford for the last 150 years. Nowadays they supply fabric to the top couturiers and fashion brands across the world. 

So the haunting music that has echoed around this space for the last few months is quieted. I feel it's been a great privilege to have had this on my doorstep, among the many wonderful offerings that have been part of Bradford City of Culture 2025.