Is there a science to sitting on the sofa? Any benefit to being on your backside? An art to sitting on your arse? An innovative new project by one of the country’s leading artists blends science and art in a bid to persuade the public that there is, sparking debate about obesity, activity, exercise and health along the way.

Launched in King’s Cross yesterday to capitalise on the Olympics (which many of us will sit around watching, doing very little exercise) the pop up Fidget campaign promises an “interactive canopy housing an arts experience”, created by renowned British artist Michael Pinsky.

Six “game zones” under the canopy encourage people to try simple activities for themselves and learn about the difference that moderate movement can make. On average, people spend about four hours a day watching television.

Run by London Arts in Health Forum and funded and supported by the Wellcome Trust, the project runs for a year, touring London before a nationwide tour of festivals, public spaces and other events this summer including Skegness, Edinburgh, Bradford, Bristol, Taunton, Gateshead and London Broadgate (see website for more details). There will also be interactive online communication tools developed by online charity YouthNet, which support young people online.