An installation presenting Oxford ‘in a box’ has gone on display at Oxford Town Hall.

The Car to Spire installation was created to represent Oxford in the closing celebrations for Liverpool’s year as European Capital of Culture.

A group of 12 young people were selected as ambassadors for the city, and put on a performance including mime, acting, street theatre, music and dance — including a bicycle ballet.

Jane Baldwin, of Oxford Preservation Trust, one of three organisations involved in the project, said: “It is a fun way of presenting the history of Oxford.

“It is a kind of box of curiosities, with layers of history presented. This is a chance for the public to see this before it is dismantled.”

As well as the installation itself, which will be in the town hall gallery, in St Aldate’s, until Sunday, February 1, a 30- minute film documenting the journey of the installation will be available to watch as part of the exhibition.

Yasmin Sidhwa, head of education at Pegasus Theatre, said 17 cities were represented in Liverpool through different art forms.

She said: “Belfast came with a big graffiti wall, Norwich set up a radio station, Brighton did free running.

“But ours was the only theatre piece, and I think people were very impressed about how we had interpreted the city.”

The young actors also took part in workshops and a Question Time-style debate involving Culture Secretary Andy Burnham. Ms Sidhwa described the Oxford contingent as a very noisy, but vocal presence in the proceedings.

Oxford was one of 17 cities which bid to become the 2008 cultural capital but, despite making the shortlist of six, ultimately lost out to Liverpool.

Each of the unsuccessful cities was invited to take part in the final celebrations on December 1 Oxford’s effort was produced in partnership with the Pegasus Theatre, the Oxford Preservation Trust and the Oxfordshire Youth Arts Partnership Trust.

Some of the teenage ambassadors — and actors — were at the town hall launch of the installation on Thursday.

Kema Daley, 14, from Cricket Road, Cowley, said: “It has been quite long, but it was really fun at the end.

“It was a bit daunting representing the whole of Oxford but we really got on well with the other cities and I think we represented Oxford quite well.

“I have learned lots because we did a lot of background stuff in Oxford.”

Tim Smith, 15, from Stanton St John, said: “It made me feel quite proud.

“I had always felt Oxford was a really good place to live because there is a lot happening, but it really made me proud to know where it was all coming from.”