Programme

Artist Courtney Askey installation at LCB Depot presenting works and ideas from her ‘workpace residency’ earlier this year especially for LCB’s Design Season.

Courtney spent a month in residency in an office upstairs at Phoenix Workpaces, part of the Phoenix Cinema complex in Leicester’s Cultural Quarter.  The work created is part of the project Hercy B, ongoing since  2019. During the month Courtney “went to work” at the office of Hercy B  Enterprises, a fictional AI tech company that was recently the  centre of a scandalous global data leak. Throughout the month Courtney  inhabited the character of Charlotte Ives, disgraced CEO of the  company.  

Creating an installation slowly over the course of the month and documenting the experience on a wheelie whiteboard, a body body of work in photography,  video, installation, sound and performance was created.  

Jiten Anand CEO of award winning cultural producers Inspirate will chair a discussion looking at the value and potency of working with designers when producing cultural festivals.  Presentations and discussion from

• Sophie Akbar (Without Walls, Development Producer),
• Tom Cleaver (Mr Cleavers Monsters, Puppet Master) 
• Chirag Lukha (Martial Artist & Dance Choreographer). 

The discussion will focus on Inspirate’s production for Leicester Diwali festival – the largest celebration of Diwali outside of India.

Gods and Demons from ancient South Asian tales will be brought to life in a visual spectacle of giant puppetry, adventure and surprise for Diwali Lights Switch On. Join the artists, producers and funders behind this epic production, where they will explore the intricate symbiotic synergy between Design, Dance and Martial Arts. The UK outdoor arts scene is changing and Inspirate are paving the way for new contemporary South Asian culture, starting with their UK touring production of Ancient Giants, supported by Without Walls.

Design Season presents – The Textiles Takeover – A taster event for next year’s first ever @LeicesterTextilesFestival‘  

Leicester textile artists present a day of fun engaging textile activity aimed at promoting textile design and the circular economy.  Hosted at LCB Depot the day comprises a range of sessions with Gray’s coffee shop & kitchen open all day.  Sessions include

Textile Swap

Got any fabric, balls of yarn, thread, haberdashery, patterns or other textile related craft items, kits or books that you no longer use? Bring items to swap and get tickets to exchange for something different! You can hand in items on the day or drop them off beforehand on the 11th

Make Do & Mend

Drop in with items that need mending or upcycling for advice and tips

Skill Swap 

Drop-in sessions to learn new textiles skills including how to use a sewing machine, simple embroidery, and knitting and crochet. Fun Ideas Hub for using scraps of fabric, repurposing old textiles and creating Halloween outfits from items you might already have at home.

Clothes Swap 

Do you want to refresh/re-energise your wardrobe for free? Tired of looking at clothes you never wear? Want to make more sustainable choices in what you wear? The Autumn clothes swop event is just what you need….and it needs you Simply bring up to 10 items (clothes, shoes, accessories) and get swapping!

For every item you bring – you get to take home something new to you – how good is that?? All items should be clean, size labelled if needed and in good wearable condition. Local stylists, including @cathirae will be offering FREE styling advice on the day to help you get the most from your new wardrobe!

Urban research across the region – Public session, led by Stefano De Sabbata and Jamileh Manoochehri

Leicester Urban Observatory is a collaboration between urban practitioners at Leicester City Council and academics at three local universities: De Montfort University, University of Leicester, and Loughborough University. It aims to establish and develop a combined centre of excellence in urban studies and planning for Leicester.

For Design Season the UO has developed ‘Urbanism’ a day where the UOP takes over at LCB Depot to present a range of works and ideas relating to the urban environment and the way we live and co-exist.

Follow the UO at Twitter @LeicsObs