Urban Screens Manchester until 14.10.07

The public element of Urban Screens Manchester 07 is an exciting four-day programme of art and events which range from mobile projection, VJ sets, live streaming, video and animation programmes, audiovisual performances to interactive art.

The programme features the works of more than 80 artists from around the world.

Three LED screens in city centre Manchester will show individual programmes exploring the aesthetic and creative potential of content for urban screens. The curatorial focus lies on works which deliberately respond to the specifics of urban screens being sited in the dynamic and dense terrain of public space.

For the art and events programme artworks/creative projects were chosen and commissioned which enrich the urban and public environment.

You’ll soon find a full line-up of projects and events under each day; you can already find some information on a number of events. We are constantly updating this section of the website.

Live Events
The art and events programme brings to Manchester a number of outstanding live events, in which the screens become a stage for international artists. All live events will be presented on either the big screen in front of Urbis or the second temporary big screen on the MMU campus.

All live events plus the rest of the art and events programme are free. The only exception from this rule is the Light Surgeons’ performance at the City Hall for which you will need a low-price ticket sold at Cornerhouse.

One of the highlights will be the interactive audiovisual performance The Air Been Broken by the Chinese duo 8GG on Saturday 13th. This live, exclusive performance in the shadow of the URBIS building will encourage the public to participate via the giant screen, webcams, microphones and other sensors.

The famous multimedia artists, The Light Surgeons, will premier their new piece True Fictions: New Adventures in Folklore in the UK on Thursday night, the 11th. The live performance brings a true fusion of eclectic musical genres such as classical, electronic, folk and hip-hop together on stage as a kaleidoscopic multi-screen cinematic experience, incorporating live musicians and striking audio-visual manipulations.

The performance Buffer Zone by the Russian-Canadian Samer Najari will bring images and sounds from a location near the port of Calais in France where people gather waiting to illegally immigrate to the UK. On three nights, Najari invites these immigrants to speak about their fears and hopes for their future life. The collected still images, stories and songs are transmitted via the Internet and presented in real time on the screen in All Saints Gardens.

Interactive works
The interactive works will invite passers-by to play with the big screens. Both projects will captivate the audience through their simplicity and intuitiveness which supports spontaneous fun and engagement. The interactive works will be on display repeatedly and for longer durations, so you have a real chance to play with them.

Circulez Y’A Rien A Voir (move along now, there's nothing to see) by French Cécile Babiole converts the movements of people into abstract graphic patterns and sounds. Every passer-by can do as one pleases: roam, dance, stamp, run or simply wave a hand and explore means of activating graphics and cheeping sounds.

Streaming media works
A couple of streaming media works will be shown as part of the art and events programme. These works are special as they have a live element to them, for example they use real time images from sites around the globe. These works are fascinating, because they are not just videos, but they change over time.

One of them is Nocinema.org which draws upon a string of live webcams across the world, transmitting live scenes collected from different locations. While the image is slightly manipulated, thus recalling a cinematic camera shot, the sound compositions by various artists foster the hypnotic character of the piece.

Overnight video installations
The sleepless citizen will enjoy the three video pieces which will be presented on all four nights. These works have been designed for an installation setting and will be adapted for the urban screens. Starting at midnight and running till dawn, these pieces will take you to distant and almost surreal places.

Video and animation programmes
A number of video programmes from various parts of the world have been assembled particularly for Manchester. We have asked leading curators and screen operators, video distributions and institutions to provide video works for the public screens in Manchester.

The result is a culturally diverse and absolutely thrilling programme of videos and animations which celebrate the public screen and its various audiences. So either get caught by walking by one of the screens or show up for a screening of your choice! Roaming projection Last but not least we want you to walk with us and follow the mobile projection of A Wall Is A Screen. On Friday night, A Wall Is A Screen will project a series of short movies specially selected for Urban Screens Manchester 07 onto buildings in the city centre. Watch the stunning movies while the crowd grows and moves from one spot to the next!