Bookings are now open for the 2015 Manchester Science Festival, proudly produced by the Museum of Science and Industry, supported by Siemens and lead educational sponsor, the University of Salford. Returning to the city for its 9th impressive year from 22 October to 1 November, this year’s Festival features 170 events taking place in over 40 venues across Greater Manchester. An eclectic and vibrant programme runs throughout the Festival – for visitors of all ages – celebrating and exploring the wonders and delights of the science that lives all around us.
Launching at this year’s Festival on Thursday 22 October is the World Premiere of Evaporation by acclaimed artist Tania Kovats. This brand new installation explores the significance of our relationship with water and the world’s seas. Taking James Lovelock’s Gaia theory – of the earth as an interconnected super-organism – as her starting point, this evocative sculptural piece comprises of three large-scale, shallow, metal bowls reflecting the shape of the world’s oceans lifted from the globe. Each bowl contains a solution of salt and blue ink that gradually evaporates in a hydro-cycle, leaving a jewel-like crust of salt crystals in concentric rings. This will be an object with its own tides; different each time a viewer sees it.
Tania’s work will also contribute to another Festival Premiere, The Wave: a structured improvisation for voice and instruments – featuring a special choral commission by renowned composer Jonathan Dove. Dove will work with musicians and performers from the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM), seeking inspiration from the oceans and tides celebrated in Tania’s sculptural seascape. This collective pool of creativity will result in a number of rolling public performances in the heart of the gallery space, premiering this brand new and one-off musical response to Evaporation – across the day on Sunday 25th October.
Both artist and composer will also be In Conversation at the museum on Saturday 24 October, with Dr. Simon Boxall from the University of Southampton National Oceanography Centre discussing their collaboration and explaining how sculptural works relate to the seas and oceans, as well as James Lovelock’s Gaia principle.
The Museum of Science and Industry is also proud to present the North West premiere of Cravings from October 22nd, a food meets science exhibition exploring how food affects the body, brain and eating habits. From flavours learned in the womb to experiences in adult life, appetites are shaped by food. Through brand new and cutting edge research from North West scientists, personal stories, fascinating objects and newly commissioned artwork, this exhibition fuses art with science to explore what drives our desires for the food we love.
The museum will celebrate the launch of Cravings with an adult only, foodie themed Late on Wednesday 28 October starring Gastronaut Stephan Gates and award-winning broadcaster Michael Mosley from BBC Two’s Trust Me I’m A Doctor.
The Media City Campus at Salford Quays will also be the temporary home to The Royal Photographic Society’s International Images for Science exhibition – supported by Siemens. Showcasing 100 extraordinary scientific photographs , this exhibition – which opens in the North West for the first time from the 22nd to 30th October – reveals objects beyond our imagination and images used to explore everyday medicine, engineering and technology.
A one-off and live recording of the hit Radio 4 science programme, The Infinite Monkey Cage starring Professor Brian Cox and much loved stand-up comedian Robin Ince, will also take place at the Museum of Science and Industry in front of a live audience on the opening night on 22 October.
This playful approach to science engagement continues with the Festival’s very own adult ball pool for ages 18+. Visitors are literally invited to Jump In from October 22nd to this interactive art installation at the Museum of Science and Industry, fully immersing themselves amongst its 81,000 white balls releasing their inner child along the way and engaging in the transformative power of play.
At the heart of the Festival is also a hands-on and jam-packed family programme featuring science themed workshops, experiments, explosions, creations, music and mayhem. Highlights include football-related coding activities at The National Football Museum, live science shows, complete with bangs, at the Univesity of Manchester’s Jodrell Bank Observatory, a Family Day at the Royal Northern College of Music uncovering the connections between science and sound through noisy activities, a day of crafts and creepy crawlies at Central Library, messy science at the University of Bolton, bio-selfies and musical robots at the University of Salford and a riot of science down the Oxford Road corridor between MMU and The University of Manchester, featuring science busking.
Other key Festival highlights include: a rare opportunity to experience the anechoic chamber at the University of Salford – one of the quietest places in the world; the chance to hear “top thinker “and pioneering scientist Richard Dawkins talking about the influences which have shaped his life; a foodie lovers meal with a difference at Harvey Nichols where the menu has largely been made by microbes in a rare collaboration between microbiologists from MMU and professional chef, Richard Fox; while film buffs can enjoy a host of cinema screenings in the stunning surrounds of Manchester’s much loved Cathedral.
Sally MacDonald, Director of the Museum of Science and Industry said: “This is my second Festival as Director of the museum and this year is particularly special as we also celebrate the launch of Manchester’s designation as European City of Science; the Festival marks the start of a year-long programme of amazing science-themed events across the city. Manchester is a city synonymous with scientific innovation and invention. It’s where Ernest Rutherford first split the atom and where Alan Turing pioneered the concept of artificial intelligence. More recently graphene – the world’s thinnest, strongest, most conductive material – was identified at The University of Manchester: a discovery marked by the award of the Nobel Prize for Physics. Our exceptional Festival programme celebrates the fact that there has simply never been a better time for science in Manchester.”
Professor Judith Smith, Dean of Environment and Life Sciences at the University of Salford, said: “This university is extremely proud to be the lead educational sponsor of this marvellous festival. Here at Salford, we believe strongly in widening access to knowledge and opening doors to scientific discovery and learning. We hope people of all ages and walks of life will come to the Festival and engage in the many exciting events which showcase the wonders of science.”
Juergen Maier, Chief Executive, Siemens plc comments: “Siemens is proud to have played an integral role in the Manchester Science Festival which has successfully boosted the profile of engineering, skills and innovation whilst helping to enhance tourism for Manchester. As a global pioneer in innovative and environmental technologies, Siemens needs bright young people who are fascinated by science. The Manchester Science Festival gives us an ideal platform to inspire young people deciding on their careers to consider working for global engineering companies such as Siemens and to become the next generation of engineers.”
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