December 5th, 2011 - Monday

Location: Kraak Gallery
Designer: Eric Fewster, Engineer

Location Notes: This relatively new gallery spawned in 2009 in a derelict textile cutting room off Stevenson Square, in the eclectic Northern Quarter. Valuing collaboration and open expression, this gallery was true to its nature and became one of the first locations to accept the shrine project into their home. Fusing underground vibes, live music and performance with a wide range of artist-led exhibitions, this venue is going to be a lovely home for one of the shrines.

Shrine Notes: This shrine tries to create a definition of what Christmas seems to be about, by observing the hustle and bustle that we usually see at this time of year and the money reminds us of one of the big focuses of this season. However, like the venue, there’s a twist. You can take the money, but on the condition that you give it away to someone in need - as the coins are taken away, another description of what Christmas is about will start to emerge.

Designer Notes: I designed the shrine in this way in an attempt to describe the usual trappings of Christmas - the mad rush, the excesses and selfishness that can come with it. Yet at the same time I also wanted to counter that with more other-centric reasons for Christmas, which becomes visible as the coins are taken away. Through this act of giving, it may not only prod us to think of those less fortunate than ourselves, but also might remind us why we do it, through remembering the character of the one we call the Christ, Emmanuel, God with us.

Feel free to write about your thoughts and experiences with this shrine, or how you've seen people using it, as a comment (see below) or tweet @sanctus1mcr.