Huge shipping container lands in Stoke-on-Trent this weekend as part of art exhibition

An interactive art installation inside a shipping container is coming to the city centre this weekend.

Hanley’s AirSpace Gallery is bringing the world premiere of Jimmy Cauty’s MdZ ESTATE - and immersive and thought provoking art experience.

The multi-media touring artwork comprises four concrete tower blocks built at 1:24 scale and displayed in a 40ft shipping container.

MdZ ESTATE will arrive on September 26 and will be housed outside the new Genr8 Clayworks development on the Smithfield site, and will be available to view from Thursdays to Sundays until October 24.

The installation, invigilated by youngsters known as ‘Children of the Aftermath’, is free to view, but art-lovers will need to book a ticket for a time slot between 12pm and 5pm in line with Covid-19 safety measures.

The artwork - which is a follow up to 2016’s highly acclaimed ADP Riot Tour, which came to Hanley - has three operating modes: lockdown, standby and full English.

• FULL ENGLISH MODE: The full five-minute sensory experience, ideal for those who have been brutally desensitised by The System.
• LOCKDOWN MODE: The container is switched on, the lights and TVs are on inside the tower blocks, there is low level sound and some mist. You can enter the container or look through observation ports on the outside. This mode is ideal for those of a more sensitive disposition.
• STANDBY: The container is closed (out of hours) - dimly lit inside, elements of the work can be seen through observation ports on the outside.

Each tower block in the shipping container is 17 floors high with meticulously crafted derelict interiors - some with lights, toilets and tiny TVs playing looped public information broadcasts.

One tower block is dedicated to residential and light industrial Live Work Die units, another is a children’s prison, the third a high-rise residential care home, and the last appears to have functioned as a pagan religious centre. They are all empty and no one knows what happened to the inhabitants.

Richard Buxton, Stoke-on-Trent City Centre Business Improvement District Manager, said: "Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID are delighted to be financially backing ESTATE via our Create Fund initiative. Supporting Arts and Culture in the City Centre is an integral part of the BID's work in Stoke-on-Trent. AirSpace Gallery is known for its cutting edge, creative output and this is yet another example of their truly excellent work."

MdZ ESTATE has been a work in progress since 2018. It underwent beta testing on August 5, 2020 at a secret location in London, before launching the tour in Stoke-on-Trent.

Councillor Lorraine Beardmore, Stoke-on-Trent City Council cabinet member for culture, leisure and public health added: ““It’s fantastic that this incredible piece of art is having its premiere in Stoke-on-Trent. It’s another example of the huge array of culture available for residents across the city – something which we’re extremely passionate about.

“We want to continue to support the amazing arts and culture sector in Stoke-on-Trent. That means championing efforts to bring this calibre of art work to the city – to inspire, entertain and challenge residents young and old. These projects are also vital to attract visitors to the area and provide a boost for our tourism economy.

“The ADP Riot Tour was a massive success when it came to the city, so I’m sure visitors will be eager to see what’s inside the Estate. I’ll certainly be taking my family for a peek – this is something unusual and thought-provoking that shouldn’t be missed.”

How visiting ESTATE works:

• Each viewing of ESTATE takes five minutes. The team is offering 20 viewings of ESTATE each Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from September 27 through to October 24.
• Click here to access the booking site
• Choose your day and time slot
• Bring your printed ticket to the site
• Your ticket is for one person - or one small family or relationship 'bubble' of up to four people.
• If you are intending to experience ESTATE in a small group/bubble - please select only one ticket
• Arrive five minutes before your ticket time and we will take your names and contact details for contact track and trace. You will be given full instructions on how to access ESTATE.
• Bring your face mask or suitable face covering. Entry will not be permitted without a face mask or suitable face covering.
• Entry to ESTATE is strictly at the time stated on your ticket - unfortunately, if you miss your timeslot, we won't be able to allow you entry.

Article from The Sentinel