Arts Festival in Leicester introduces ‘city of the future’

The ‘City of the future’ opens its doors to the public for the first time Leicester arts festival

An experiment in future living can be viewed by the public for the first time as part of the opening weekend of Leicester’s Arena Festival of Contemporary Arts. The Geodecity Project was set up last summer by Reactor, a group of contemporary artists, to look at ways in which people could create an alternative future society based on a utopian ideal.

As part of the initiative, members of the community live in architect designed Geodesic domes which they build themselves; they then decide how the society will live. Ten of the original Geodecians are setting up an expo of the project at Scraptoft Hill Farm, Covert Lane Scraptoft which will be open for visits from the public on Saturday 1st November.

“We are really excited to have this installation as part of the programme,” comments festival co-ordinator Hamish Walker. “It will add a new and thought provoking dimension to the festival and we hope that people will be intrigued enough to see for themselves what living as a Geodecian actually involves.” Minibuses leave from outside Phoenix Arts Cinema (Newarke Street) in Leicester at 10am, 11.30am and 1pm to the Geodecity site. The final bus will leave at 2.30pm from The Rushes in Loughborough. Places are FREE but must be booked in advance by calling 07989 427 425.

The Arena Festival, which launches at The Ale Wagon in Rutland Street this Saturday (1st November) has been organised by DOT, a Leicester based artist-led group established in 2004. The event runs until 16th November and has attracted artists and performers from across the UK and beyond.

For full details of the line up and when individual events are taking place visit www.arena-festival.co.uk. For more information on the Geodecian Project visit www.reactorweb.com.