A much-loved dormant Sheffield landmark will spring back to life in the heart of the city centre for this year’s Sensoria Festival.
The central Sheffield building that housed the Cole Brothers department store, and later John Lewis, opened in 1963 but has been closed since 2021. Now, it is due to re-open temporarily as an event space before development by regeneration company Urban Splash.
The first event in the Grade II-listed building, which sits opposite Sheffield City Hall, will be The Light Organ – an interactive, audio-reactive artwork that brings sound to life.
Constructed from 38 customised acrylic pipes, the large-scale installation uses microphones to turn sounds into a sculptural array of light influenced by the people who come to experience it. Sing, talk, clap – and make all sorts of sounds – to create a multicoloured sound and light display.
Opening times:
1–2 October, 12:30–6:30pm
3–4 October, 12:30–5:30pm
5–6 October, 11:30am–4:30pm
7–11 October, 12:30–5:30pm
12 October, 11:30am–4:30pm
No booking required.
On 1 and 2 October visitors can also comment on plans for the building, in discussion with Urban Splash.
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