Art will meet interactive digital and physical experiences in a new playable exhibition at Aviva Studios.
Those Who Hold Up The Sky imaginations a futuristic Manchester, where an underground movement has tapped into the city’s network. Players can change everything from adverts and murals, to statues and street names.
The world premiere has been created by artists BRiGHTBLACK, inspired by Manchester and co-created by Fusion Factory – a group of creatives and residents from across Greater Manchester.
It will be based at the North Warehouse from 28 Feb – 2 March 2025 and visitors will be able to make their mark on the installation, as hand-made models can be 3D scanned and built into game assets for future players to interact with.
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“We make artworks that put the audience at the centre of the story, placing them in immersive worlds to play and be creative,” explained BRiGHTBLACK, the collective led by Simon Wilkinson and Myra Appannah
“With ‘Those Who Hold Up The Sky’, we are recreating Manchester as a playable futuristic city with floating islands in the sky and are asking – what would happen if we gave this Manchester to the people and filled it with their creativity, voices, ideas?”
Fusion Factory are a group of Greater Manchester creatives and residents from all walks of life. Over the past 6 months they’ve come together through Factory International to dream up this artwork.
“Fusion Factory has been an incredible opportunity to experience the world of artistic events at Factory International, to meet new people, and create something unique for our city,” said Clare Bayat, Fusion Factory member.
“Manchester is known for its creativity, resilience, and community spirit, and this project felt like the perfect way to celebrate all of that.”