SALFORD QUAYS.- Visitors to a new exhibition at the award-winning art centre, The Lowry, are able to interact with works of art by internationally renowned artists - including a tantalizing pyramid of 5,800 oranges.

The work, by South African sculptor Roelof Louw, is designed to shrink as gallery visitors choose – whether or not – to take an orange from the structure, as Louw aims to raise questions about time and decay. (This exhibit was shown at the V&A in London in 2013 as part of the ‘David Bowie Is’ show. Presumably it is also on show at that exhibition as it moves round the world.)

This sculptural work forms part of a new exhibition entitled ‘ExtraORDINARY: Everyday objects and actions in contemporary art’, which presents artworks in an engaging and imaginative way and offers activities and inspiration for families of all ages.

Kate Farrell, special exhibitions manager at The Lowry, said: Galleries can seem to be very formal environments with ‘do not touch’ rules in place. Louw’s work, along with other installations within the exhibition will challenge the perceptions of a contemporary art show as visitors contribute to the fabric of the exhibition and initiate creative expression as a result of the artists’ vision.

Turner Prize-winner Martin Creed, known for his small interventions and often controversial work, which make use of existing materials and situations, also features in the exhibition with works such as Work No. 79: Some Blu-tack kneaded, rolled into a ball and depressed against a wall (1993). Other works featured include Willi Dorner’s ‘Bodies in Urban Spaces’ project, and Karina Smigla-Bobinski’s ADA installation, which will float freely in the gallery space. Its charcoal tips create an evolving drawing on the gallery walls as it is pushed around the space by visitors to the exhibition.

Visitors can also become a work of art for 60 seconds if they choose to follow Erwin Wurm’s instructions and pose with everyday objects in spontaneous ways as part of his ‘One Minute Sculptures’ project.

Kate Farrell added: There is a longstanding tradition of artists using everyday objects in their work, and this playful approach to contemporary art can be extended to the quintessential everyday object: the human body; an object that we all own and can be used to initiate, create and facilitate creative expression which will be encouraged within this exhibition, ensuring visitors have the opportunity to contribute to works of art in the gallery for others to enjoy.