Excitement is building as Union Square's 'U be part of the art' project nears the end of its tour and the countdown to public voting begins.

'U be part of the art' is an opportunity for people in Aberdeen City and Shire to contribute to the permanent art fixture in the new £250m development. Union Square artists, Gudrun Bombosch and Iain Gildea, have been touring local communities, encouraging people to donate items which, to them, represent Aberdeen or Aberdeenshire.

The next event will take place at the Banchory Show on Saturday 25th July at King George V Park. Artists Gudrun and Iain can be found at the Union Square Original 106 Stagecoach bus between 9:00am and 5:30pm and anyone who would like their item cast into a 'U be part of the art' resin block, is encouraged to bring it along.

After the last event on the 2nd August, selected items will be uploaded onto the Union Square website and put to a public vote. The final 14 items - which can be no bigger than a shoe box - will be cast into resin blocks and make up the art instillation in the development.

Items suggested to date range from the historic to the ultra modern. A sea merchant's discharge books, train tickets to Aberdeen, a piece of Granite, a replica seagull, a model of an oil-rig and a hand-knitted Aberdeen FC scarf are among the suggested objects.

Penny Godfrey, marketing manager for Hammerson's Union Square said: "We have had a great response to date with some interesting takes on Aberdeen City and Shire. With only a few weeks to go until public voting begins, we are encouraging people to send in pictures of their items, or take them along to an event, with an explanation about why they are important to them.

"We're on the look out for objects which reflect your hometowns, memories and traditions. The items selected in the public vote will become a permanent feature in Union Square, so it's an exciting opportunity to add your personal touch to the city's newest and largest retail and leisure development."

Those unable to attend one of the public events can visit the website (www.unionsquareaberdeen.com/public-art) for more information, or send an email about the item they would like to put forward to: publicart@unionsquareaberdeen.com

After Banchory, the last two events include the Aboyne Highland Games and March of the North East Clans on Saturday 1st August and the Turriff Show on Sunday 2nd August.

ENDS

For more information contact Hannah Murray or Kirsty Grant at Trimedia
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