YOU ARE HERE is a temporary poster exhibition throughout Leeds, curated by Workers Lunchtime. It consists of 10 maps of the city which lead the viewer back through time, from 1932 to 1726. The trail begins on Wellington Street and each map reveals the next location.
The exhibition characterises the city as transient and layered. The maps act as an archaeological tool, peeling back sites and forgotten histories. We had a chat with Workers Lunchtime about the project:
Why did you decide to lead the wanderer back in time in this poster series, away from the present and familiar?
There were more surprises going backwards, as the footprint of the city has not changed much in recent years.
Is the fact that the posters are outside, as opposed to being in a gallery space, to encourage the public to explore or a result of current social distancing measures?
A bit of both. I’ve been keen on seeing an exhibition of Leeds Maps for a few years, but was waiting for someone else to do it. Then I thought - why don’t I just do it? Especially after seeing the beautiful Peter Mitchell posters, which look even better in their outdoor context than they do on a page.
How did you first come across these old maps?
A few years ago Thoresby Society produced a set of maps, which I bought and love. They were already scannable, sourced and the Society gave me the rights to use them!
How would you like people to interact with your work?
I love looking at the maps, I can get lost in them. I would like people to get satisfaction out of them and be amazed at what lies beneath their feet. In lockdown, people are looking much more at where they are. It’s timely.
Do you intend to actively take down the posters or let them organically disappear?
They’ll get covered up and become part of that layering system of the city.