Two venues in Liverpool are competing for a chance to host art by internationally recognised artists.
The Victoria Gallery and Museum and Liverpool Cathedral need to beat off competition from three other venues to win the chance to host the work of artists Susan Forsyth and Mat Collishaw.
The Victoria Gallery and Museum hopes to showcase Forsyth’s Zusammen Choir Procession while Liverpool Cathedral wants to host work by Collishaw, one of the key figures in the Young British Artists’ movement.
Collishaw would stage his first human zoetrope – an early form of a motion picture projection that dates from the Victorian era, which Mat has updated to the 21st century by increasing the size and adding 3D elements. Forsyth’s Zusammen Choir Procession would feature swing band Big Band, Malaysian drumming group 24 Festival Drums and the Capoeira Dance da Liberdade – with anyone free to join in so that the songs reflect the diverse cultures represented by the local population.
The venues need to gain the most public votes in an effort to host the two exhibitions on the 17th May, as part of Light Night, a one-night arts and culture festival.
Stuart Haynes, Director of Communications for Liverpool Cathedral said: “We’ve been keen supporters of Light Night for a number of years. It’s a great city-wide event linking some superb venues and bringing a fantastic buzz to the city.
“Mat is an innovative, creative visual artist with a huge reputation. His human zoetrope is a fascinating concept for our magnificent building. We think it will make a stunning centrepiece attraction for Light Night.
“This is a one-off chance to bring a true original to our city. We think the people of Liverpool deserve to experience this piece of art.
“We are a cultural city and well known for a lively, interesting arts scene. Bringing Mat will enhance our reputation and we believe attract many more visitors to Light Night 2013.”
Charlotte Corrie, speaking for Open Culture, Light Night co-ordinators, said: “Light Night is an incredible snapshot of Liverpool and its culture. It is a great opportunity for people to find out about events and artists that are displaying their work right on their doorstep for free.
“If we won the public vote, and these two international artists were to come to Liverpool, it would be such a one off. It would really engage people, and they would fit in perfectly with Light Night, alongside the incredible offers from the other artists that will be showcasing there.
“If they came here it would help remind people on a national level just what Liverpool is, and what we’re all about, so we need the people of Liverpool and Merseyside to really get behind the artists, and help get them to our city!”
Voting closeds at 5pm yesterday (Tuesday) and results revealed on Thursday 7th March.