When Montreal-based artists Maya Ersan and Jaimie Robson were invited to display their work inside the Preston Idea Exchange, they wanted to create something that was unique to the location.
As the name "Undergrowth" suggests, the various pieces spread out around the gallery give off an earthy feel as spring begins to bloom.
"We searched a little bit of what was going on here," Ersan said.
"The connection between the library, the garden and the space gave us a starting point."
The artwork was created in the style of a pop-up book using card stock. Visitors walk around with a flashlight and shine it on each piece to project it on the wall.
Depending on the angle, different reflections become present, making it a truly interactive experience.
"We did a lot of image gathering and then drawings," Ersan said.
"From the drawings, then we cut and it becomes a cutout."
Each of the displays takes roughly a week of full time work to create.
The idea to have guests get involved with projecting the shadow is something the pair has been working on for a while.
"It's a technique we've been exploring for quite a few years," Robson said.
"It's gradually evolved from the early stages of playing with a flashlight, to looking at how we could come up with ways to make a more crisp shadow and being inspired by the history of different types of puppetry and shadow puppetry."
As residents file through the doors of the Idea Exchange, the artists hope people take the time to slow down their busy lives to experience a sense of playfulness.
"Our lives are so fast paced," Robson said.
"Just step away from it all and be immersed."
The exhibition, which is curated by Karly Boileau, will be available for viewing until June 22.
