Umbrellas set to ‘float’ above Salisbury High Street

A dazzling canopy of colour is coming to greet locals, shoppers and tourists in Salisbury city centre. 90 umbrellas set to ‘float’ above Salisbury High Street in art spectacular.

From Wednesday 18 July until the autumn, a spectacular art installation of 90 umbrellas will be suspended in the air above the High Street.

The multicoloured brollies will shelter ten illuminated doves, inspired by Michael Pendry’s installation Les Colombes, currently on display in Salisbury Cathedral until 22 July. The doves will fly amongst the umbrellas, each carrying a message of hope and peace.

Salisbury Business Improvement District (BID), along with partners VisitWiltshire, Salisbury City Council, Salisbury Cathedral and Swindon & Wiltshire LEP, have invested in the display which they hope will prove a talking point and to encourage visitors and locals alike to visit the city centre.

Kara Rogers, BID Marketing Manager, said: “Our businesses have had a tough year, but this installation will encourage a new spout of optimism, adding another vibrant splash of colour to our beautiful medieval city.

“The installation will be put up overnight, so we’re really looking forward to seeing the surprise and delight on people’s faces when they wake up to find our High Street is transformed. They should be great come rain or shine!”

The umbrellas initiative has been inspired by an artwork at the annual Ágitagueda Art Festival in Portugal. Similar installations have been shown all over the world.

To launch the installation, there will be a celebration under the umbrellas on the High Street on Wednesday 18 July from 5.30pm. Café Rouge is providing a complimentary drink and canapés and there will be live music from acoustic duo LimeLyte.

Salisbury BID is encouraging people to share comments, photos and video clips of the umbrellas using the hashtags #salisburyumbrellas and #salisburycityofdoves.

Many thanks to Salisbury Cathedral, Salisbury City Council, VisitWiltshire and Swindon & Wiltshire LEP who have helped BID fund this initiative. Thank you to Café Rouge, LimeLyte and Wiltshire Creative for the staging.