What is a knight in shining armour these days? Is there such a thing? Well here's your chance to both ponder those questions, and be part of a unique work of art! An unusual exhibition by Justin Neal will be on display in the centre:mk in Milton Keynes from 1 July to mid-August and will be brought to life when a real life knight in shining armour arrives in the centre on horseback! "The Seven Challenges of the Cnyht Bachelor" (pronounced Knight) is an exhibition of seven photographs taken in conjunction with photographer Zoe Irving, which explore the question of how we define 'knightly or masculine' values in the modern day.
 | | Seven Challenges of the Cnyht Bachelor: Aquisition |
The image of the knight in The Cnyht Bachelor is portrayed as a metaphor for the relationships men have in today’s society; their roles, responsibilities, and relationships. As such it looks at the concept of chivalry, what makes up manly virtues and what modern man may need to aspire to in order to realise his role in today's society. A competition is being run in conjunction with the display that will enable the winner to appear in the final picture - which will be taken on 12 July! Throughout the duration of the exhibition, which will be located near John Lewis on Midsummer Arcade, businesses, residents and visitors to the city will be challenged to consider the question, "What is a Knight?" and nominate what they believe is an appropriate challenge for a knight who lives in a 21st century city. The most inspiring challenge will actually be undertaken by a knight, who will arrive regaled in shining armour in centre:mk on horseback on Monday 3 July. The person who put forward the idea will be photgraphed with him when he does it on 12 July and that image will join the initial seven as part of the ongoing exhibition and be documented as part of the exhibition and project publication.
Use this link to nominate your idea of a knight in the 21st century.
Nominate your challenge >
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites |
You can suggest anything that you feel represents the role of the Knight in Shining Armour in the 21st century, from planting a tree to helping contractors on a building site, packing bags in a supermarket, carrying groceries for an older person or visiting someone in hospital. The only limit is your imagination. So how does this project tie in with Milton Keynes? The focus of the Cnyht Bachelor's challenge in this project is the cultural identity of Milton Keynes. The images produced will present aspects of contemporary values common in Milton Keynes. These are represented metaphorically as Faith, Steed, Quest, Temptation, Company, Acquisition, and Maiden.
 | | Seven Challenges of the Cnyht Bachelor: Steed |
Tony Longstaff, Chief Executive of thecentre:mk told us how the project will make us to think about values in a 21st century city, and in particular Milton Keynes. “As a society we in the 21st century aspire to a lot that is based on physical assets" he said. "This is more evident in Milton Keynes because the city didn’t grow organically but was designed as a city. The knight is really a defender of people as individuals, those who are struggling to achieve and may have fallen short of their desires as well as those who have much, but find no identity through the possession of the desired trappings they have won. "The photographic images ask the audience to consider what their values are, and how we can change and add more cultural identity to a predominantly retail and residential environment. “We realise that the shopping centre is not just a shopping centre" he continued. "It is also a place where people connect, meet, play, chat and relax .... It seems the ideal place then to explore what are appropriate challenges for a knight in a 21st century city. More and more we are realising that we who explore Milton Keynes in all its cultural diversity – including shopping - have an obligation to champion the city, defend it and challenge it. As a shopping centre, our participation in cultural events is one of the ways we do so.” The artist Justin Neal said that the organisations that he has been working with in Milton Keynes to put on this project have been extremely helpful and that using a shopping centre for an art project needed to happen more. "They are all very excited about this project and keen to develop a more diverse cultural scene for artists by hosting and supporting these kinds of activities" he said. "I think that's pretty unique for a retail environment in the UK. What would be the benefit to the city, to be known for the range of its cultural activities taking place within the shopping centre, instead of just the centre as a place just to shop. We need to explore these ideas more."
 | | Seven Challenges of the Cnyht Bachelor: Faith |
Martin Hindson, Chief Executive, Midsummer Place Shopping Centre, who also supports the project added. “This is not just about hosting an exhibition, we are asking members of the public to contribute their own thoughts of what challenges are right for Milton Keynes. “If you could have your own knight for a time, what would he do for you - how could he defend you? Whether we’re male or female I think we’d all admit that at some point of our lives we could have benefited by a knight in shining armour. Perhaps Milton Keynes needs one as a city. It’s a time of great social, environmental and physical change here. "A city like Milton Keynes cannot support the typical artist environments you find in other cities; it's a new type of artist who can work in a new town, one who is more business orientated and looks for challenges - similarly like the knight - always on the search for a new quest. Who knows, the Knight Bachelor may go on to defend other ideas - he's a good character and I'm enjoying what he is becoming." | 
