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Unnatural Borders: Quays Culture commissions endangered species sculptures

This season, endangered species from land and sea migrate to the metropolis of MediaCityUK, in the form of four gigantic sculptures for Quays Culture’s Unnatural Borders exhibition, which will run from Saturday 20th May until Monday 29th May.

Unnatural Borders is a Quays Culture exclusive commission by Sober Industries (NI), and explores the interaction and impact between human civilization and the animal kingdom environment.

Four large sculptures represent endangered species – Polar Bear, Whale, Red Squirrel and a Bee. By day, the sculptures tower over the public on large separate plinths, and when the sun sets at 9pm they are illuminated with stunning visual projections, bringing a magical show of light and illusion to these 3D animals and their location.

A first-time showcase of these endangered species in this art form; the animals will inhabit MediaCityUK’s piazza for 10 days for Quays Culture’s annual free summer showcase of spectacular art, which embraces technology in its creation and exhibition. And that’s not all. Quays Culture has a host of activity planned for visitors, over the 10 days, including an Artist Talk, check here for more information. Plus there’s a Lowry Outlet Makers Market taking place on Saturday 27th May – Monday 29th May, which offers artisan food, crafts and much more.

Lucy Dusgate, Creative Producer at Quays Culture, commented: “Unnatural Borders is an exhibition of large-scale, illuminated endangered species sculptures, commissioned by the extremely talented Sober Industries (NI). The launch of Unnatural Borders coincides with Endangered Species Day (Friday 19th May) and reinforces the exhibit’s significance, which questions our responsibility to these beautiful creatures, and our own mis/understanding of natural and man-made borders and boundaries in these changing modern days. Unnatural Borders is a must-see attraction in May – and even better, it’s free to visit!”

Sober Industries (NI) is a multi-disciplinary creative production company specialising in the development and realisation of creative concepts and projects.

Quays Culture delivers outdoor arts and cultural events combining the latest in digital technology with the vision of world-class artists throughout the year. Its work ranges from the intimate to the monumental, acting as a series of interventions and invitations to the public realm. Unnatural Borders will run daily, with sculptures illuminated from 9pm-11pm each evening.

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