Art, tech and community collide in Manchester’s most interactive exhibit yet

Manchester is no stranger to innovation. From its industrial past to its creative present, the city thrives on transformation

Now, an extraordinary new project at Factory International is pushing the boundaries of art, technology, and community-driven storytelling.

Those Who Hold Up The Sky, an interactive city-building game and playable exhibition, will take over the North Warehouse from February 28th to March 2nd, 2025.

But this isn’t your average exhibit—it’s a living, breathing testament to the power of collective creativity, inviting Mancunians to shape their own future, both digitally and physically.

At the heart of Those Who Hold Up The Sky is a collaboration between the artist collective BRiGHTBLACK and Fusion Factory, a diverse group of 14 local creatives and residents brought together by Factory International to co-curate this project.

Those Who Hold Up The Sky

Together, they imagined a futuristic Manchester where the cityscape was transformed by the people who walked its streets. Through hands-on activities, digital interactions, and immersive storytelling, this groundbreaking project allows visitors to step into the role of city-shapers, moulding Manchester’s future in real-time.

Working collaboratively with Fusion Factory are BRiGHTBLACK’s Simon Wilkinson and Myra Appannah, two artists known for their expertise in immersive storytelling and interactive experiences.’

Simon has toured globally with his Immersive Story Lab, which explores the shift from passive entertainment to active participation through video game-inspired installations. Myra, a multimedia artist, has focused on bridging the gap between digital and real-world experiences, ensuring that audiences feel like active participants rather than passive spectators.

Bridging virtual and real worlds

“We create interactive, playable experiences that bridge the gap between virtual and real spaces,” said Myra. “We want our audiences to play a meaningful role in what we do, rather than just passively consuming it.”

Simon explained, “We have a massive space filled with creation areas. There’s a graffiti wall for people to go wild on, a 3D modelling area where people can sculpt in plasticine, and an abandoned TV studio where visitors can record themselves. All these elements are then scanned and integrated into a game world—a futuristic Manchester shaped by the community.”

By blending physical and digital elements, Those Who Hold Up The Sky ensures that visitors actively shape the exhibition. “Art shouldn’t just be consumed—it should be experienced, shaped, and lived,” said Simon. “It’s a thrilling moment to watch someone’s graffiti appear on a digital building or their plasticine model animate within the virtual city.”

A community-driven project

Unlike traditional exhibitions, Those Who Hold Up The Sky is built from the ground up with community input. Factory International selected BRiGHTBLACK after an unanimous vote from the 14 members of Fusion Factory. “We were chosen by the community, which means a lot to us,” said Simon. “The people involved in this project wanted something interactive, playful, and reflective of Manchester’s diverse voices.”

Roger Muñoz, a Fusion Factory member, shared his experience: “I took early retirement due to an accident and needed something to do. This project has been fantastic. It allowed me to work in a team towards a common goal, showcasing Manchester and Factory International to people who wouldn’t normally attend.”

Clare Bayat, another member of Fusion Factory described the collaborative process: “We started as strangers, but now we’re like a family. We created a group manifesto to ensure that every voice mattered. We researched artists, presented ideas, and ultimately chose BRiGHTBLACK because they understood exactly what we wanted.”
Roger echoed this sentiment: “We all come from different backgrounds—engineering, fashion, activism—but we’ve built something meaningful together. It’s been a truly inclusive experience.”

Reimagining Manchester’s future

The game at the core of the exhibition raises important questions about urban identity. “Manchester’s residents cherish various parts of the city, including parks, stores, and clubs, some of which have disappeared or are under threat,” said Simon. “Rebuilding a city often means erasing these important landmarks and memories. Our project aims to create a DIY version of Manchester that retains the city’s cultural fingerprints.”

Myra elaborated: “Creating these digital worlds isn’t just about replicating physical aspects but evoking a sense of place, memory, and belonging.”

For Factory International, the project is an opportunity to make cultural spaces more inclusive. “Cultural events can sometimes feel exclusive,” said Roger. “But Those Who Hold Up The Sky is designed to be accessible for everyone. You don’t need an art background to engage with it.”

Clare adds, “We want people to reflect on how the city has changed and how they can help it continue evolving positively. It’s about creating a dialogue for community improvement.”

An invitation to play

Those Who Hold Up The Sky is a living, breathing experiment in community-driven storytelling. It’s an opportunity to reimagine Manchester, to play with ideas, and to see firsthand how collective creativity can shape the spaces we live in.
“For the audience, this artwork offers a lot of fun,” said Myra.

“You can sculpt, scan, tag a wall, record a video—all of which become part of a large-scale artwork. It’s about rediscovering the joy of creativity.”

Roger sums it up best: “This project is about joy, community, and creativity. It’s an opportunity to give back to Manchester, a city that has given me so much.”

Clare encourages everyone to take part: “First of all, it’s free! So completely affordable and without the pretentiousness of other art installations. You can drop in, stay as long as you like, and leave whenever you want. Bring your kids, parents, and friends. It’s inclusive for everyone.”

Simon adds, “It’s a chance to rediscover play and creativity. If you’re curious, just come. Spend ten minutes, and if you don’t like it, you can leave. But I’m sure you’ll love it and want to stay.”

So, whether you’re an artist, a gamer, a history lover, or simply curious, Those Who Hold Up The Sky welcomes you to step inside and leave your mark. Because in this version of Manchester, the city belongs to those who shape it.
Are you ready to play?

There is always something good going on at Factory International. And a lot of times too, it’s free! There will be plenty going on in the space called The Social over this jam-packed weekend.

You can check out what’s going on here