Published at 12:05, Monday, 22 September 2008

CONISTON will play a leading role in a major open weekend later this month celebrating culture across the UK.

The Cultural Olympiad is a four-year programme of culture linked to the London 2012 Olympics.

The launch weekend starts on September 26-28 – the same time the THICKspace_Fred art installation is open to the public as part of the Coniston Walking Festival weekend.

Each area of the country has been awarded an “Inspire Mark” project and there are only three in the North West – with THICKspace_Fred being Cumbria’s.

The installation at Big Wood, a National Trust woodland near Tarn Hows, features a large fibre optic cube suspended from trees which the public can enter, touch, or contemplate.

The experience is described as engaging the public in altered sensory states and giving an opportunity to slow down in an increasingly high-speed world, as well as change the way they think about their surroundings.

The attraction has been designed by international artists Laura Belevica, Aaron J Robin and Fend Gouchaun, who will lead people through it at 11am on Saturday 27 September and then a torchlit walk at dusk.

It is part of the wider FRED arts festival; a 16-day invasion of over 60 artists across Cumbria organised by Kirkby Stephen-based artist Steve Messam.

Alongside walks and talks, this year's Coniston Walking Festival will include cultural events with art, visits to Brantwood and music.

A full programme of activities and tickets can be booked online at www.conistonwalkingfestival.org or by calling Coniston Tourist Information Centre on 015394 41533.

Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk