The sky above Manchester was briefly lit up last night, as renowned Artist Luke Jerram gave Mancunians a preview of his latest artwork.
The interactive light display, entitled 'First Breath', has been commissioned by the soon-to-launch Factory International and will officially launch on New Year's Day. The display will run from January 1-29, with visitors able to walk around and admire the installation from 4-10pm every night.
The spectacular installation casts powerful beams of light up into the clouds to celebrate new life. The lights gently pulse to represent the first breaths of babies born that month in Greater Manchester.
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Many may recognise Luke Jerram as the man behind 'Museum on the Moon', which has been experienced by more than 20 million people worldwide, as well as the giant 10 metre 'Floating Earth', which took up residency at MediaCity in Salford and Pennington Flash near Wigan last year.
Commenting on the launch Luke Jerram said: "I want to reveal, celebrate and connect the hidden community of people giving birth each day in Greater Manchester. Disconnected and yet going through the life-changing experience at the same time, there are on average over 70 babies born each day in the city.
"This new artwork is designed to celebrate the moment a child is born – the extraordinary moment when they take their first breath and a new life arrives in the world."
John McGrath, Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Factory International and Manchester International Festival added: “At the turn of 2023 we’ll be celebrating new beginnings with a beautiful public artwork projected from the site of our future home into the night sky. As we welcome hundreds of new-borns into the world through Luke’s light sculpture, we will also be breathing life into our new building and, we hope, setting in motion a fruitful life-long relationship with a new generation."
First Breath takes place against the backdrop of Factory International - the £186m arts centre, which is being billed as a "landmark cultural space" for Manchester. The first-of-its-kind riverside destination, programmed and operated by the team behind Manchester International Festival (MIF), represents the largest investment in a national cultural project since the opening of Tate Modern.
Opening its doors in June 2023, Factory International will be a global destination for arts, music and culture, commissioning and presenting a year-round programme by leading artists from across the world. The venue's first show will be 'Free Your Mind' - an immersive performance based on The Matrix, which is being directed by Radcliffe's Danny Boyle.
First Breath meanwhile, will set in motion a new programme of family activities and early learning opportunities for babies and parents at the arts and cultural centre - connecting a new generation through culture and exploring how art can be woven into daily family life from birth.
Hundreds of babies born in January 2023 will also receive lifetime membership to Factory International, encompassing priority booking, discounted tickets and exclusive invitations to everything from major exhibitions and concerts, to family performances and workshops.
The artwork is free and will run from 1-29 January 2023 from 4-10pm. The artwork will be accessed on Water Street, at the bottom of Liverpool Road.
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