Radical British poet, painter and visionary William Blake believed in the power of art and words to bring us together. Almost 200 years on from his death, he continues to inspire creatives today. To accompany the Fitzwilliam Museum’s exhibition, William Blake’s Universe, we collaborated with poet Salena Godden to bring her poem, Cathedrals, to life.

The intention of the film was twofold: to showcase the exhibition design and to immerse viewers in Salena's beautiful, resonant poem. The gallery’s dominant reds and blues informed our lighting choices, creating a visual rhythm that mirrored the tone of the poetry. Warm reds and oranges illuminated the positive, hopeful stanzas, while cold, dark blues underscored moments of defeat or melancholy.

In the final edit, we enriched the visuals with an accompanying score of piano and synths, punctuated by sound effects that added another layer of meaning. The ping of an oven timer echoed Salena’s mention of baking, while the sound of waves washed away the poem’s hopes, mirroring the imagery of the sea.