A Multimedia Exploration of the Story of Vulcan, Blending Film, Poetry, Sound, Music, Art and Science
A Multimedia Exploration of the Story of Vulcan, Blending Film, Poetry, Sound, Music, Art and Science
Welcome to Cradle of Fire, a multimedia collaborative exploration, inspired by Vulcan. Our mythical muse’s story is the catalyst for diverse themes in our initiative. Cradle of Fire was born on 27 May 2024 thanks to an Arts Council England grant.
At the heart of our project, which is in the development phase, and seeking more partners and contributors, is a short film, which was launched at Kelham Island Museum, Sheffield on 7 November 2024. A second screening took place at Land of Iron Museum, Skinningrove, on 14 November.
The film weaves poetry, sound and multi-media art to tell the story of the Roman god Vulcan, craftsman/blacksmith and the deity of fire, forges and volcanoes. Geology, engineering and earth-sciences are also embedded in this re-imagining of the steel and mining industries. We are currently working with museums, heritage and cultural organisations in Yorkshire and Cleveland and look forward to others joining us.
Book Free Tickets 28 Nov: Cambridge Screening Event
Read more about the project, our team and partners, revisit as we evolve and follow our social media updates. Contact Us with your ideas.
Join us at Homerton College, Cambridge, for an exciting evening hosted by local artist and engineer Diana Scarborough, with poet and Sheffield Hallam lecturer Carolyn Waudby.
20 November 2024
We were delighted to receive a message via the website contact form from Amelie Parent, a journalism student at the University of Sheffield, who was looking for stories coming out...
15 November 2024
Diana and Emma were thrilled to be invited onto the wonderful and rather mischievous Paulette Edwards’ show on Radio Sheffield this morning.
7 November 2024
This engaging project draws on Sheila Thomas and her family’s memories of life in Sheffield, when steelmaking was a thriving industry in the city. Her narratives are illustrated by photographs...
5 November 2024
We are excited to announce a second public screening of the forthcoming Cradle of Fire film. This event is in association with the Land of Iron Museum, and takes place...
2 November 2024
People often get confused when they use the words myth and legend. As a folklorist and co-founder of the Centre for Contemporary Legend at Sheffield Hallam University, I am often...
29 October 2024
We’re delighted to announce the forthcoming launch of The Cradle of Fire film, supported by an Arts Council England development grant. This event is in association with Sheffield Museums, taking...
17 October 2024
Illustrator, artist, printmaker and avid sketcher Sheena Mary Davies was commissioned to create an illustration of Vulcan.
4 October 2024
Ann Beedham’s father Jack started work in the Sheffield steel plants in 1936, aged 14, and is featured in a Sheffield Star book ‘100 Years of Stainless Steel‘, edited by...
18 September 2024
We are immensely grateful for the support offered by our partners.
We’d love to hear from you as we develop the Cradle of Fire project. Please use the contact page to get in touch.
Cradle of Fire is a research and development project, supported by public funds from Arts Council England. We are also grateful for support from our partners and creative collaborators. Read more on the dedicated About pages.
Check our progress to date and future plans via the timeline