Manchester has significant links with the development of the first camera. Once the home to the Manchester Photographic Society, the Memorial Hall is now left a derelict building site. By following a trail of the building's history I uncovered archives across the city of glass slides discarded in dusty corners.
This project aims to bring these slides out of the dark and into the light. Through an interplay between analogue and digital a series of interventions will open up the history of photography and digital technology of the future to the wider public.
Site Images
Site Locations: Memorial Hall (historical), Lloyd Street (present day connection) & Peace Gardens (futuristic)
Manchester Memorial Hall has significant connections with the beginnings of photography, in particular a Deansgate Chemist J.T. Chapman
(1) Original Glass Slide of Manchester Library (courtesy of MMU archives) (2) Natural Light through the Venetian Gothic windows of the Memorial Hall today (3) Glass Slides Display Precedent
Memorial Hall Floor Plan
Memorial Hall Mezzanine Plan
Basic Form
The light scoop on the roof is used to back-light the ceiling mounted glass slides, whilst large frames are hung infront of the Venetian Gothic windows, giving different experiences at various times of day
Memorial Hall
Using Light Art to improve public safety at night
Peace Garden Intervention - designing for the future, technological revolution.
Peace Garden Section, showing outdoor cinema
Combining Digital exhibition spaces with the raw images of a Camera Obscura
Peace Garden - Elevation
Peace Garden Site Section
Peace Garden Site Section showing links to Manchester Town Hall
Camera Obscura Photographic Gallery
Manchester 2012