A NEW piece of interactive art will take pride of place at Crewe Station from tomorrow.

As part of the SHIFT programme, ‘Living Sculpture (Virtual)’ will be installed on platform six on March 10.

The sculpture, created by award-winning artist Laurence Payot following a two-year collaboration between scientists and academics, invites busy travellers to stop for a moment and interact with the artwork.

It turns the platform into a stage, where one or more participants can place their hands inside the installation to bring a piece of drapery to life.

Laurence said: “I’ve been thinking about how to create sculptures that can be a sort of host, and how people could come to inhabit the sculptures.

“With this comes the idea that the sculptures wouldn’t just be still, they would start living and breathing with the people within them. I put the sculptures and people in a space and see what happens.

“What excited me most about showing the work in Crewe Station is the fact that strangers might come together for a moment to experience the work. I love places of transition, when you’re shifting from one place to another. This is also what the work is about: communication, connections, encounters.”

Mark Taylor, Virgin Trains Crewe station manager, said: “We always look to challenge traditional thinking and look at innovative ways to enhance our customers’ experience. Tens of thousands of commuters will pass through the station in the next month, and I’m sure Laurence’s engaging work will inspire a lot of comment, interaction with fellow passengers and generate a few smiles too.”

The sculpture will remain open until April 7 from 9-6pm.

An ‘In Conversation’ event featuring Laurence and SHIFT creative director Louise Shannon takes place on March 17 at 4pm.

Visit shift-digital.co.uk.