Create a human machine

Coronation Street star Jennie McAlpine visited Manchester Art Gallery this week to see how families are transforming themselves into human machines, as part of the gallery’s free October half term holiday activities.

Having now seen some of these creations, I think it’s a fantastic, imaginative way for families to have fun together and explore some of the ideas in the exhibition. I’m not sure if it’s something I’d want in my wardrobe though.

Families are being invited to work together to create the ultimate interactive artwork. The aim is to send a message on a ping-pong ball from the tallest person’s head to the smallest person’s toe.

To succeed, they can use funnels, tubes and cardboard together with their own bodies to create a human machine that can transport the ping-pong ball message along it.

They can even record a film of their finished creation to appear on the Manchester Art Gallery website.

The Human Machines workshop has been created to coincide with Rafael Lozano-Hemmer's major new exhibition, Recorders, currently showing at the gallery.

The Mexican-Canadian electronic artist’s exhibition includes the world premieres of three new artworks, as well as four UK premieres. His playful works depend on the participation of visitors to exist - they see, hear and feel the actions of the people around them.

Jennie, who has played Fiz Stape in Coronation Street since 2001, dropped into the gallery during a break in filming to check out the exhibition. She was given a sneak preview of what the human machines being created over half term will look like.

Jennie said: “When I was told I was going to be transformed into a human machine I wasn’t really sure what to expect. Having now seen some of these creations, I think it’s a fantastic, imaginative way for families to have fun together and explore some of the ideas in the exhibition. I’m not sure if it’s something I’d want in my wardrobe though.”

Human Machines workshops for families take place at Manchester Art Gallery every afternoon from Tuesday 26 - Friday 29 October, 1 - 3pm. Free. No booking required. Sign-in for the events from 12.30pm.

Manchester Art Gallery
Mosley Street
Manchester
M2 3JL

0161 235 8888
www.manchestergalleries.org