Microsite
Hull City of Culture 2017 – Arts Tour
This resource is a handy record of the varied activities held in the city last year, says Jonathan Knott
The British Council has created this online resource as a legacy from Hull’s year as UK City of Culture in 2017. Comprising interviews, articles and videos on the diverse activities that took place over the year, it’s a chance for those who didn’t experience the programme to get an idea of what it was like.
Some of the activities included here involve experimental work, such as the Height of the Reeds – a sound composition that people listened to on headphones while walking across the Humber Bridge. Many focus on international links, including an initiative that worked with young poets from Hull and Trinidad. The film series “How do you have a happy life?” focuses on people in Hull and those doing the same jobs in Hull’s twin city, Freetown in Sierra Leone. It includes profiles of hairdressers, tailors and drag acts.
Despite the eclectic nature of the programme, a down-to-earth spirit pervaded it, as seen in a transcript of an interview with the Yorkshire-born photographer Martin Parr. Asked if anything surprised him about Hull, he replied: “Not really – it was exactly as I expected.”
Much of the content on this site was published first elsewhere, which contributes to the sometimes slapdash presentation. A page on the 2017 Turner Prize, which was held in Hull, contains interesting video interviews with the artists nominated, but has not been updated to reflect Lubaina Himid’s victory. And the “Hull: City of Culture” page, which provides an overview of the city and programme, comes halfway down the menu, rather than at the top, where it would be more logical.
Whether by accident or design, though, the absence of any officially shaped narrative is ultimately a strength because it lets the voices of artists and citizens shine through. This is summed up by the actor Tom Courtenay in one of the videos, where he says: “A place cannot produce poems, it can only not prevent them.”
Website
Royal College of Physicians
London’s Royal College of Physicians (RCP) has created this content-rich site to tie in with its 500th birthday this year.
For those unfamiliar with the college’s history, a recommended first port of call is the timeline, which runs from the institution’s foundation by Henry VIII’s physician to the role it plays in public-health debates today.
Another key section is a gallery of objects owned by the RCP. These can be clicked on to see a larger photo and description. The interface is a good way of stimulating interest in the college’s diverse collection without overwhelming visitors.
Other features include events listings, videos that preserve past events and promote current ones, and blogs. The site is accessible, informative and pleasing to use, eschewing gimmicks in favour of an elegant user experience.
Website
Vote100
This online hub brings together a wide range of resources relating to the anniversaries of two significant pieces of legislation this year: the 1918 Representation of the People Act, which for the first time gave the vote to some women, and the 1928 Equal Franchise Act, which granted equal voting rights to men and women.
It mainly consists of links to other websites, but provides a valuable contribution of its own through the listings page, which includes details of exhibitions, talks and film screenings.
The external links include a free three-week online course developed by Royal Holloway, University of London, and the UK parliament, designed for anyone with an interest in 19th- or 20th-century history. Other resources linked to range from extensive information on the parliament website to research guides produced by the London School of Economics and the National Archives.
The dark-coloured and simple design sets the right tone, putting a serious but approachable face on diverse sources that would otherwise be difficult to locate and navigate. For these reasons, the website looks set to increase interest in these important anniversaries. It should be further enhanced by the “Resources for Schools” and “What’s Happening Near Me?” sections, which – the website assures visitors – are coming soon.
Hull City of Culture 2017 – Arts Tour
This resource is a handy record of the varied activities held in the city last year, says Jonathan Knott
The British Council has created this online resource as a legacy from Hull’s year as UK City of Culture in 2017. Comprising interviews, articles and videos on the diverse activities that took place over the year, it’s a chance for those who didn’t experience the programme to get an idea of what it was like.
Some of the activities included here involve experimental work, such as the Height of the Reeds – a sound composition that people listened to on headphones while walking across the Humber Bridge. Many focus on international links, including an initiative that worked with young poets from Hull and Trinidad. The film series “How do you have a happy life?” focuses on people in Hull and those doing the same jobs in Hull’s twin city, Freetown in Sierra Leone. It includes profiles of hairdressers, tailors and drag acts.
Despite the eclectic nature of the programme, a down-to-earth spirit pervaded it, as seen in a transcript of an interview with the Yorkshire-born photographer Martin Parr. Asked if anything surprised him about Hull, he replied: “Not really – it was exactly as I expected.”
Much of the content on this site was published first elsewhere, which contributes to the sometimes slapdash presentation. A page on the 2017 Turner Prize, which was held in Hull, contains interesting video interviews with the artists nominated, but has not been updated to reflect Lubaina Himid’s victory. And the “Hull: City of Culture” page, which provides an overview of the city and programme, comes halfway down the menu, rather than at the top, where it would be more logical.
Whether by accident or design, though, the absence of any officially shaped narrative is ultimately a strength because it lets the voices of artists and citizens shine through. This is summed up by the actor Tom Courtenay in one of the videos, where he says: “A place cannot produce poems, it can only not prevent them.”
Website
Royal College of Physicians
London’s Royal College of Physicians (RCP) has created this content-rich site to tie in with its 500th birthday this year.
For those unfamiliar with the college’s history, a recommended first port of call is the timeline, which runs from the institution’s foundation by Henry VIII’s physician to the role it plays in public-health debates today.
Another key section is a gallery of objects owned by the RCP. These can be clicked on to see a larger photo and description. The interface is a good way of stimulating interest in the college’s diverse collection without overwhelming visitors.
Other features include events listings, videos that preserve past events and promote current ones, and blogs. The site is accessible, informative and pleasing to use, eschewing gimmicks in favour of an elegant user experience.
Website
Vote100
This online hub brings together a wide range of resources relating to the anniversaries of two significant pieces of legislation this year: the 1918 Representation of the People Act, which for the first time gave the vote to some women, and the 1928 Equal Franchise Act, which granted equal voting rights to men and women.
It mainly consists of links to other websites, but provides a valuable contribution of its own through the listings page, which includes details of exhibitions, talks and film screenings.
The external links include a free three-week online course developed by Royal Holloway, University of London, and the UK parliament, designed for anyone with an interest in 19th- or 20th-century history. Other resources linked to range from extensive information on the parliament website to research guides produced by the London School of Economics and the National Archives.
The dark-coloured and simple design sets the right tone, putting a serious but approachable face on diverse sources that would otherwise be difficult to locate and navigate. For these reasons, the website looks set to increase interest in these important anniversaries. It should be further enhanced by the “Resources for Schools” and “What’s Happening Near Me?” sections, which – the website assures visitors – are coming soon.