Leeds’ premier shopping destination, Victoria Quarter, will form part of a unique event from Friday 18th – Sunday 20th May, when County Arcade will be used as one of the venues for the Leeds Canvas public art commission.

The Leeds event is part of a wider commission of projects initiated by the Arts Council of England for the London 2012 Olympiad. OverWorlds and UnderWorlds has been developed for Leeds by film-makers The Brother’s Quay, and explores the flow of people and water, playing with how myths emerge from and return to our everyday experience.

Occurring at three locations in the city – The Dark Arches, VQ’s County Arcade and Briggate, the piece will incorporate live music and dance, along with film and artworks. In County Arcade a 70-strong children’s choir will sing from the balconies above the Grade 11* listed street, accompanied by a soundscape created by Gavin Bryars. Two brass bands will then merge in the centre of the arcade, drowning out the children’s singing and leading the audience away towards Briggate, where a huge tree carrying a boat will seem to have just erupted from the underworld.

John Bade, VQ Centre Director commented, “Projects such as this are really interesting ways of taking art away from its conventional gallery settings, and offer a great opportunity to engage with people who might not otherwise go to see it. The magnificent architecture of Victoria Quarter is an ideal venue for staging the event, and I’m sure will perfectly complement the performances.”

Leeds Canvas at VQ takes place over three days, Friday 18th May 5.00pm, 6.30pm&8.00pm, Saturday 19th 2.00pm, 3.30pm, 5.00pm, 6.30pm & 8.00pm and Sunday 20th 12.30pm, 2.00pm, 3.30pm & 5.00pm.

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