Lightwaves Salford

The full programme for Lightwaves Salford will include:

Hope is the thing with feathers by Illuminos
Taking inspiration from the poem by Emily Dickinson, Hope is the thing with feathers is a soaring,
contemplative take on Salford Quays through the prism of the swans that make the waters of the quay
their home, and in particular the extremely rare Black Swan that was seen here in 2025. Connection
through the ship canal, the lightness of feathers and weight of cranes, power and grace, and the
paddling beneath the majestic surface are all explored across the vast canvas of MediaCity’s buildings
through projection mapping and sound. Commissioned by MediaCity and produced by Quays Culture,
this is the largest artwork ever presented at Lightwaves Salford.

Positive Spin by Liz Harry with Kazimier Productions
Inspired by a love of summers spent at beach front arcades, Positive Spin is a 5.5m high machine from
the collective minds of artistic experience creators, Invisible Wind Factory and illustrator, Liz Harry that
invites you to step up and receive a random fortune.

Our Town by Studio Elisa Artesero
This interactive digital artwork transforms passersby into both audience and performer, turning the
pavement outside Lowry into a living stage. Our Town celebrates 25 years of Lowry and the people who
give Salford its rhythm, heart, and soul.

Happy as the Day is Long by Stellar Creates
Put your dancing shoes on and get ready to move under the glow of our giant colourful mirrorball!
Constructed from a kaleidoscope of brightly coloured mirrored pieces and creating geometric rainbow
patterns that will make your head spin. Includes silent disco with special Lightwaves Salford playlist –
curated by you!

Eternal Ensemble by ONYVA! Studio
Eternal Ensemble is a work of spatial audio and immersive light projection that suspends the viewer in
a repeated moment in time. Creating a powerful connection between cello performer and listener that
evokes a sense of joy; feeling utterly personal, yet wholly shared.

Triskelion by The Academy of Live Technology
Triskelion is an immersive art installation built around three towering monoliths, each representing one
of the primal forces: Earth, Water, and Fire. The installation will react to your presence in different ways.
Touch, move, make noise and watch the structures come alive.

Stitching Light by Emergency Exit Arts
Stitching Light আল ো দি য়ে গাঁথা is a textile and light installation exploring Bangladeshi women’s migration
to the UK. Their stories have been transcribed onto sixteen, 3m high colourful painted textile panels,
hand painted by a traditional folk artist based in Dhaka.

Molecular Clouds by Dakhska Patel
Molecular Clouds explores our relationship with the planet. It represents the science of climate change
through colourful, dynamic and engaging imagery. The large-scale projection is accompanied by a
beautiful instrumental soundtrack that features the sounds of nightingales.

Constellations of Us by Emma Nuttall / University of Salford
An immersive, interactive installation that weaves projection mapping, sound, poetic language, and
spatial design into a contemplative sensory experience. The presence of each viewer activates a
digital starscape transforming it into living constellation poetry.

Enchanted Exchanges by Tine Bech Studio
Enchanted Exchanges is a dual-site interactive light installation, spanning Glow at RHS Garden
Bridgewater and Lightwaves Salford. The project explores how light can connect people across
physical space—reimagining public space as something alive and shared.

The Relic of Mirchwood Forest by Laura Spark
Here reside the last living ferns of Mirchwood, a mythical ecosystem brought to life with stop motion
animation and projection mapping, eternally suspended in an otherworldly terrarium.

No tickets are required to attend Lightwaves Salford, visitors can simply turn up and explore at their
own pace – the trail of 12 artworks is approx 1.5km and fully accessible. There will be plenty of food
and drink options with all the usual bars and restaurants at MediaCity as well as the diverse range of
traders at Kargo MKT within the Quayside. A Christmas Makers Market outside Quayside MediaCity
will also be running over the 4-7 December to coincide with Lightwaves Salford.

Find out more about Lightwaves Salford: thelowry.com/lightwaves-salford-2025
See the digital programme here.