Artistic trail puts city’s history in shop window
WINDOWS of empty shops in Leicester have been given a new lease of life as part of an augmented reality art trail.
BID Leicester worked with design agency Arch Creative to deliver Street Stories.
It is designed to improve the appearance of empty shops and turn them into points of interest.
Working with 10 artists spanning a range of styles and mediums, Street Stories celebrates pioneering people from Leicester and explores themes including human rights, the environment, consumerism and identity.
A free downloadable smartphone app adds multi-sensory animation to the trail.
Simon Jenner, BID Leicester director, said: “Street Stories is a creative and innovative project and we’re really excited to finally launch it.
“This is our second project to improve the appearance of empty units in the city centre, and while Leicester fares well nationally when it comes to vacant units – and even is looking forward to some exciting new openings in the coming months – this scheme will help to highlight commercial space, create an attractive environment and give residents and visitors an insight into Leicester’s rich heritage.
“The trail launches at a critical time in the city’s economic recovery and by moving visitors around the artworks it will encourage footfall across the city centre.
“The augmented reality feature adds another dimension to the artworks, providing an added draw and making it a great outdoor activity for all ages.
“I hope as many people as possible will download the app and enjoy the trail while they are in the city.”
Arch creative director Joe Nixon said: “Since we started working on Street Stories, the project has taken on a new level of significance and it’s never been such an important time to celebrate Leicester’s achievements.
“Our concept was to create an interactive street museum and highlight some important and less well known stories to new audiences.
“We’ve been able to give a platform to the incredible artists we have in our city, but also continue to grow the reputation Leicester has as a city of creativity and culture.”
Street Stories topics include Sir David Attenborough and endangered birds, Sir Alec Jeffreys and DNA fingerprinting, Joe Orton and the LGBTQ+ movement and Alice Hawkins and the suffragettes.
Some of the artworks have been commissioned for the project, including a portrait of Alice Hawkins, one of the UK’s leading suffragettes, by the artist Tim Fowler.
Hawkin’s great-grandson Peter Barratt said: “Over 100 years ago my great-grandmother Alice Hawkins campaigned in the streets of Leicester for equality at the ballot box.
“It’s great to see her commemorated in those very streets through original and innovative artwork.”