Visit Birmingham to promote city through mass collaboration with photographers at social media event.
Birmingham’s most momentous weekend of 2015 is to be captured and publically exhibited at the Ikon Gallery, as a 100-strong team of amateur photographers descend on the city as part of a mass-participation social media event.
Taking place on September 26th, Visit Birmingham’s latest Instameet will see the city’s creative community join forces to document and showcase Birmingham’s busiest, most landmark weekend of the year to potential visitors worldwide, using photo sharing platform Instagram. The event marks the final of a series of Instameets that have taken place throughout 2015 – thousands of images produced have generated millions of hits across the social platform. Images produced throughout the event are to be showcased from 27th–29th November at Birmingham’s Ikon Gallery, at the city’s first ever Instagram exhibition.
The event will focus on the transformation the city is experiencing; with over £1 billion in investment now coming to fruition. From the opening of the £600 million redeveloped New Street station, to major cultural events including the Birmingham Weekender and The Big Hoot – members of the public are also invited to join in; capturing this landmark weekend under the hashtag #BrumMeetSept26.
Emma Gray, Director of Marketing and Communications at Marketing Birmingham, said: “Social media is key to Visit Birmingham’s destination marketing campaigns and our Instameet events are a particularly effective way to engage with potential visitors worldwide.
“Birmingham is gearing up for the biggest weekend in its cultural calendar. There is no better time to bring our creative communities together to showcase the city’s rich array of cultural wealth and world-class infrastructural offer.
“This weekend will form the centerpiece of Birmingham’s Super September. The city’s eclectic programme of events includes the internationally anticipated Rugby World Cup 2015, Style Birmingham, and The Birmingham Weekender – with visitors immersed in hundreds of free performances from local artists and cultural institutions. Locals and tourists alike are promised an awe-inspiring weekend to remember.”
Jonathan Watkins, Ikon Director, added: “Ikon is thrilled to join forces with Visit Birmingham to shine a spotlight on the city’s thriving arts and culture scene. We hope the images produced at this Instameet will inspire people to visit the gallery, and experience the exciting exhibitions and events we have on offer.
“Ikon has grown to become internationally renowned as a champion of contemporary art, launching the careers of many famous artists. We are providing an essential platform for creative expression and giving Instameet attendees an opportunity to showcase their work within such a context.”
Central to Visit Birmingham’s final Instameet is the Birmingham Weekender – a weekend of free, outdoor performances, art and activities taking place across the city centre from 25th–27th September 2015. Birmingham Weekender is produced by Birmingham Hippodrome on behalf of Birmingham Arts Partnership.
Roxana Silbert, Creative Director of Birmingham Weekender, and Artistic Director of Birmingham Repertory Theatre, added: “What better weekend to capture images of the people, places and organisations in Birmingham than Birmingham Weekender, the city’s biggest free arts festival. Over the weekend there will be opportunities to photograph theatre, music, dance, opera, circus, art, craft, fashion, food, sport and more all in our city’s streets, civic spaces and shopping centres.
“Coinciding the Instameet with Birmingham Weekender is a fantastic opportunity. It will showcase the work of many home-grown and internationally renowned companies all coming together to create moments that will make people smile and be inspired and continue to cement Birmingham’s reputation as a cultural destination.”
The #BrumMeetSept26 Instameet will take place from 11.30am–1.30pm and more information can be found on the Visit Birmingham Instagram page: @Visit_Birmingham.