The travelling show looks mesmerising!
Born in the wake of the pandemic, a stunning light show is set to travel across Greater Manchester this week – spreading a little bit of joy to our communities. Symbolic of hope and desire, the travelling light show hopes to lift spirits during its stint, reiterating our desire for freedom during these testing times.
Created by Quays Culture in collaboration with artists Helen Musselwhite, Jason Singh, Illuminos, M3 Industries and Jack Hardicker, the project combines a number of techniques including sound, beatboxing, paper art, projection and more, resulting in a carnival float style piece that can easily travel around the region.
Travelling on the back of a flatbed truck, the birds will perform out their lifecycle from their cage – before being released and set free during a seven-minute performance. Viewers will get to see them swoop and swoon across the local houses to their beautiful bird song to finish the performance.
Co-Creator Gemma Saunders said: “Despite Covid-19 being devastating there are some aspects of this situation that have made us re-focus on important factors in our lives. We want to play that back to people and deliver an ‘art at your front door’ wonder that will be truly special.”
Beatboxer Jason Singh said: “This work celebrates all birds, big and small; birds with personalities, displayers, the gangster birds as I call them – the sparrows; birds that people aren’t familiar with. I hope my work will connect everyone to the amazing creatures in our life that perhaps we haven’t noted until now,”
Mystery Birds will tour Manchester and Salford this week until December 13, however, to ensure the event remains socially responsible, locations will remain under wraps. To experience the art in your own home, an Instagram filter as part of the project can be found here – where you can project the birds onto any setting.