Plans have been announced to build a huge cardboard model that will reflect the old Cathedral to mark 85 years since the blitz.
Taking its cue from the cathedral ruins, organisers said the art installation would be constructed from thousands of pieces of cardboard.
The installation, designed by Olivier Grossetête, will form a temporary landmark, described as a “monumental structure inspired by the cathedral”, standing about 20m high and weighing more than a tonne.
Olivier Grossetête is world-renowned for creating similar monumental constructions, and this amazing temporary landmark will rise as a symbol of remembrance, resilience, and the extraordinary strength found in unity.
Free workshops will be running every day from Monday 10 to Saturday 15 November in Drapers’ Hall to support the build of the structure. During the weekend, those taking part will be invited back to construct and celebrate the structure created by the community.
Once its complete, it will be situated in Broadgate, in the city centre, and will be built on the final day of the workshops.
The artwork will then remain until 3 p.m. on the Sunday, for people to capture the moment and invite family and friends to be part of the weekend.
Those attending on the Sunday are invited to assist in the deconstruction of the building, to reflect the sudden loss of the old Cathedral on 14 November 1940.
‘Community spirit’
Olivier Grossetête said: “The aim of projects such as this one in Coventry, is as much about sharing the experience of a collective construction as the final work of art. This is a collaborative project which touches both young and old and enables people to meet and build joyfully together.
“The Coventry build and accompanying de-construction links particularly to the connection with the Blitz anniversary. It is especially poignant as it enables us to recreate links with one another, sharing progress together and having a satisfaction of contributing to something both enjoyable and thought-provoking.”
If you would like to be involved in this community event, and for more details around the workshops themselves, please visit https://www.coventry.gov.uk/coventryremembers.
A vigil and civic service are planned for 14 November to remember the 550 people killed in the 12-hour raid by German bombers during World War Two.