REMEMBER the Berlin Wall, that massive piece of concrete which drew a line between communist-ruled East Berlin from democratic West Berlin for decades and symbolised the division of Europe during the Cold War - and was torn down in 1989?

Well, a section of the infamous nation divider has been brought to Lancaster.

The 1.5-ton piece is on loan from the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, and is on display outside the University of Cumbria’s Alexandra Gallery on its Lancaster campus until April 12.

The wall’s arrival marks the start of an exciting new international collaboration between Karl Heinz Jeron, Buffy Klama, Karsten Krause, Ilona Ottenbreit and Mirko Tzotschew, from Berlin, and Trevor Avery, Anita Burrows, Paul Clark, Bryan Eccleshall, Margaret James-Barber, Jill Pemberton and Rosie Wates, from our own north west.

The work on show inside the university’s gallery is mainly photographic-based, plus large-scale drawings, conceptual materials and sound pieces.

The whole project is entitled M6-M3 Unterwegs/Underway, and coincides with the 20th anniversary of the wall’s demise.

It was inspired by a visit to Berlin by artists from the Cumbria Network in May 2008, funded by a NAN Go and See bursary, awarded by a-n The Artists Information Company.

“The wall is one of the great symbols of our age,” explained Lakeland artist Rosie Wates, whose fascinating, tiny photographic-mirrored works and objects are based on memory, barriers and borders.

“It’s the epitome of division, of separation, and conflict,” adds Rosie.

“Our project is all about dissolving borders, bringing together, and opening up dialogues.”

Following the Lancaster exhibition, M6-M3 Unterwegs/Underway, moves on to the Harris Museum and Art and PR1 galleries, both in Preston, before travelling to Berlin and a show at M3 Kunsthalle.

For more information about the project and the artists, visit www.hub-international.co.uk.