Liverpool's Very Public Art reveals next two outdoor commissions

A giant pop-up book and a 40ft tall megaphone will appear in Liverpool this weekend as part of the city’s Very Public Art initiative.

The huge story book, titled Cowherd & Weaver Girl, will be installed in Chinatown from tomorrow, encouraging people to step inside its pages as part of celebrations of Qixi – the Chinese equivalent of Valentine’s Day which takes place on August 14 each year.

Cowherd & Weaver Girl artist Laura Brownhill said: “Liverpool’s Chinatown is world renowned and I’m so pleased to be able to create a piece of work which not only resonates with the community, but also engages visitors.

“It’s a stunning location and the perfect place to pay tribute to Qixi and reinforce the power of love, family and friendship.”

Then on Sunday, Mersey Sounds – a 12-and-a-half metre (40ft) tall handmade copper megaphone – will become the latest waterfront attraction.

The installation, from Writing on the Wall and architect Daniel Smith, pays homage to the late sculptor Arthur Dooley and his Speakers’ Podium which stood on the Pier Head until the 1990s. Smith’s father was a steel erector who worked with the sculptor when he built the original podium.

Mersey Sounds will play a soundscape of speeches and the voices of people who used to work on the docks.

Richard Woods' Holiday Home in Liverpool ONE. Part of the Very Public Art initiative.

The Chinatown artwork will be in place until August 28, and the megaphone until September 6.

They are the latest works commissioned by Culture Liverpool as part of its Very Public Art scheme.

And These Birds Can Sing, by The Birdcage Stage CIC, is on show in the grounds of Liverpool Parish Church until this Sunday, while Holiday Home – a colourful, one-third size bungalow structure by Chester-born artist Richard Woods – has popped up in Liverpool ONE until September 5.

For more details on the artworks visit the website HERE