Those Who Hold Up The Sky at Aviva Studios

Gaming meets live performance in Those Who Hold Up The Sky, a playable art installation by artists BRiGHTBLACK and Fusion Factory – a creative collective of Greater Manchester residents.

Receiving its world premiere in Aviva Studios’ North Warehouse, this free installation – for all ages – invites ‘players’ to build their own future city. Unique and wonderfully interactive, it’s time to get creative and become part of the revolution. Seize the opportunity to remix Manchester through this immersive city-building experience.

A world of physical and virtual play awaits in an alternative and futuristic Manchester setting. Imagine a world where an underground movement has managed to access the city’s network – changing everything from adverts and murals to monuments and street names. Imaginative and innovative, it’s time to remodel Manchester and you’re invited to join the movement.

Offering a blend of interactive digital and physical activity, Those Who Hold Up The Sky features an evocative soundscape, gaming stations and hands-on making stations, where players can design their own ideas for the city. Plus, everything created – whether digital or hand-made – will make its way into the game for future players to interact with.

With Greater Manchester at its heart, we love that this installation is completely free to experience and that it has been co-created by Fusion Factory, a diverse group of proud Greater Manchester residents – some working in the creative industry and others from non-arts backgrounds. Together with Simon Wilkinson and Myra Appannah of BRiGHTBLACK, Fusion Factory have come together to build this new artwork for the people and communities of Manchester.

So whether you want to unleash your imagination through adventure and play, or just explore creative ideas and hang out, there are plenty of ways to experience Those Who Hold Up The Sky at Aviva Studios.