Emerging from the depths of darkness in its slave-ridden Caribbean history, Carnival embraces its tyrannical roots and the remarkable journey that led to the abolition of slavery. Ohio State University's College of the Arts is inviting viewers to experience the arts, sounds and cuisines of the Caribbean-infused Carnival in the inaugural exhibition at its new downtown Urban Arts Space.

On Feb. 5, Ohio State will unveil 10,000 square feet of exhibition and performance space located on the bottom floor of the former Lazarus building at 50 W. Town St. A grand opening reception will follow on Feb. 8 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. The grand opening is free, but an RSVP is required. Call 614-292-5171 to attend.

"We really do see this as fostering the revitalization of downtown," says Karen Bell, Dean of the College of the Arts. "The space will provide many opportunities for our students and faculty to exhibit art and present performances in the heart of the city."

The inaugural exhibition at the OSU Urban Arts Space is the American premiere of Midnight Robbers: The Artists of Notting Hill Carnival. The exhibition opened in England at London City Hall last fall and is curated by OSU Theatre Professor Lesley Ferris and Ruth Tompsett from Middlesex University in England.

Featured in the exhibition are 70 fully captioned photographs, original costume designs, costumes, a timeline of London's carnival history, an interactive 3-D computer program and video interviews with the featured artists. Costumes have been transported from Notting Hill and some of the photographs were taken by OSU students who participated in OSU's five-week "London Theatre Program" in England.

Carnival is celebrated in remembrance of the Caribbean imported slaves who were banned from singing and dancing, playing music and wearing costumes. For one day each year, on Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras), the slaves were expected to provide entertainment for their European masters by adorning intricate costumes and performing songs and dance for their white owners. After slavery was abolished, the Caribbean's embraced this holiday as their own, carrying on the extravagant customs.

"Carnival has such a rich history," Ferris says. "Its connection to emancipation and its transformation into a statement of presence, personal identity and resistance art is empowering. We want viewers to go away with a sense of what Carnival would be like."

The Urban Arts Space grand opening will feature stilt dancers from Kristina Isabelle's HighJinks dance corporation, and OSU steel drummers, in order to replicate some of the traditional staples of Carnival.

Also featured at the Urban Arts Space Feb. 5 thru March 7 is Linking the Past to the Future, an exhibition which provides a glimpse into the historic Lazarus Building. The exhibition incorporates memorabilia from the buildings past alongside plans for its future, as well as images of the building during its transition into the Urban Arts Space.

OSU's Urban Arts Space will breathe energy into downtown, manager Kelly Stevalt Kaser says. The space will feature lunchtime lectures, school projects and collaborations with professional arts organizations in Columbus.

"We hope that this will be a vibrant spot downtown that is a lively, happening destination, while also serving as a laboratory space for OSU students, faculty, alumni and local artists to curate, sell or perform their art," Kaser says.