大象传媒

Science and art meet head-on in Shrewsbury 3-12 July as the Shift Time Festival promises 10 days of inspirational ideas and thought-provoking art.

Marking the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin in Shrewsbury and 150 years since the publication of his groundbreaking On the Origin of the Species, Shift Time aims to be a 'festival of ideas' and a celebration of what it means 'to be human'.

Artists from across the world will join forces with local talent to present a diverse series of exhibitions, demonstrations, street theatre, street science, talks and performances. Most of the events are free and the weekend 4-5 July offers a particularly packed programme.

Theo Jansen's Umerus sculpture

Many of the events will take place in Shrewsbury's Quarry park, including Dutch kinetic sculptor Theo Jansen's 'mechanical strandbeest' Umerus, which will be assembled on 2 and 3 July and on full public display 4-12 July. The 13-metre-long, wind powered sculpture is made from 'really basic Blue Peter stuff', including plastic tubing and water bottles.

Technology mimics nature as German artists Pascal Glissman and Martina Hofflin's ELFs (Electronic Life Forms) are exhibited at Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery 3-12 July. Meanwhile, pupils from Belvidere, Sundorne, Meole Brace and Mary Webb schools show off their computer skills with Naturebots in the Quarry on 5 July - their robots will show off some specially programmed moves.

'Evolution goes to the movies' on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 July in the specially erected Igloo Pavillion in the Quarry. A series of free animations, shorts, documentaries and films will be shown throughout the weekend in the temporary cinema.

Opera North present the world premiere of The Weather Man at Shrewsbury's new Theatre Severn on Saturday 11 July. The show is based on Charles Darwin's relationship with Robert Fitzroy, captain of The Beagle, and incorporates music, film and words. Tickets cost 拢15 (10 concessions) and more information is available on the Shift Time website.

Shrewsbury's Quantum Leap sculpture

The 拢350,000 new Quantum Leap sculpture will be officially unveiled in Mardol Quay Gardens by the River Severn on Sunday 12 July. The 12-metre-high sculpture has been designed to celebrate Charles Darwin's groundbreaking ideas.

Time Shift ends with a special event on Sunday 12 July as local artist Sue Challis teams up with Shropshire projection expert Andy McKeown to turn Shrewsbury's Old Market Hall into a giant lighting installation - entitled Heresy.