The Lowry to dazzle theatregoers
with unique, digital art installation commissioned from
Marshmallow Laser Feast
The Lowry’s vast 1,700-seat Lyric theatre is set to be taken over by a visually stunning feast of light, sound, colour and technology.
Before select theatre performances, audiences will experience IRIS – a unique digital art installation, created using the latest in robotic and laser technology. This technology is manipulated to form a mass of light that creates moving shapes out of the darkness. A performing light sculpture that will mesmerise audiences with its hypnotic beauty, it is by one of Europe’s pioneers of digital art, Marshmallow Laser Feast – a London-based creative studio that harnesses technology to launch visually striking and emotionally charged installations.
IRIS is a Week 53 commission by The Lowry, the latest in an impressive programme of newly-commissioned artworks specifically for The Lowry’s biennial Week 53 Festival and interim years.
Premiering with free public viewings over the weekend of 27 – 28 May, its pre curtain-up run will commence the following week – the first event being the stand-up comedian, Jon Richardson.
The decision to present Marshmallow’s work in the void of The Lowry’s main theatre auditorium is part of The Lowry’s commitment to introducing new art forms to its visitors.
Julia Fawcett OBE, chief executive of The Lowry, said: “Digital is now a very well established artistic genre. It has a huge representation in the cultural calendars of places like Amsterdam, Berlin and Toronto and this commission forms part of our drive to lead Salford, Greater Manchester and the wider-North West’s offering in this field.
“Marshmallow Laser Feast has an excellent reputation for delivering work that pushes boundaries and redefines expectations – so they were the natural partner for this project. Our hope is that by presenting their work to audiences attending performances of everything from stand-up comedians to contemporary dance we can introduce, from scratch, an art form they might not have ever considered before.”
Ersin Han Ersin, creative director of Marshmallow Laser Feast, said: “Immersing audiences using technology can be tracked right back to the ancient Romans, who used puppeteering to make actors look like gods on stage, technology in the theatre space has evolved but our relationship with the stage largely remains the same – we sit and look forward.
“The beauty of IRIS, a kinetic light sculpture, and our collaboration with The Lowry is that we manipulate our relationship with the stage by making the whole auditorium our canvas, the architecture and audience become part of the performance and evolves our relationship with the stage from ephemeral to tangible.”
People wishing to view the artwork that are not attending another show at The Lowry can do so at special, free viewings on: (The piece lasts for approximately seven minutes and will be shown every 15 minutes.)
27-28 May (11am – 4pm)
10, 17 & 24 June (11am – 12pm)
8 & 14 July (11am 12pm)