A LARGE-SCALE projection on the chimney of Lister Mills will bring to life stories of Manningham’s past, present and future.
An installation featuring music, audio recordings, photographs and moving images will illuminate the historic site for 'The Mills are Alive in Manningham' over three nights in March. The culmination of a year-long project led by Bradford arts company The Brick Box, supported by Bradford's City of Culture bid team, the show will capture stories of the diverse communities that have lived and worked in Manningham from pre-Industrial Revolution to the present.
Brick Box has been working with the local community and creative groups to gather stories from Manningham’s multi-cultural communities including British, Pakistani, Indian and Eastern European heritage, to find out their memories and hopes for its future.
Brick Box director Rosie Freeman said: “Storytelling is an essential part of how we understand ourselves and the world, and this project uses storytelling to better connect people and place. We're bringing together the fascinating heritage of this iconic building and place, with people’s ideas and dreams for the future. It's a privilege to be making this project with and for our local community, learning about our histories and manifesting the future.”
The projections, created in partnership with The Projection Studio, will shine a light on significant chapters of Bradford's history, including the Manningham Mills Strike of 1890; the birth of the Independent Labour Party; arts events including Bradford Festival and Mela, which attracted more than 200,000 people in its heyday, and the founding of Manningham Mills Ladies Football Team in 1921 - one of the first competitive women’s teams in the country.
Ross Ashton and Karen Monid of The Projection Studio said: "The story of Manningham Mills is one of the most fascinating we’ve ever worked with. The combination of the industrial, political and social histories of Manningham reveal how extraordinary this community is. None of the important advances and social changes Bradford has seen - for example, the artistry and science of developing fantastic fabrics, supporting soldiers during both world wars, or women campaigning for fair wages - could have happened without the community of Manningham, and the wider city, making those changes happen. It's an immense privilege to be immersed in discovering this story, we’re excited to be given this opportunity to tell it on the site where so much of it took place."
The projections also include photographs from a collaboration between theatre company Mind The Gap, based in the mill complex, and local photographer Nudrat Afza, exploring the experiences of families in Manningham with loved ones who have learning disabilities.
The show concludes with reflections of contemporary Manningham, including the mill’s new lease of life following its multi-million-pound regeneration, and artwork by children at Lilycroft Primary and Nursery School who worked with artist Lou Sumray.
The project is funded by Arts Council England, Bradford Council, Historic England and Urban Splash. Bradford 2025 chair Shanaz Gulzar said: “The district’s incredible heritage will be a major part of our bid to be the next UK City of Culture. It will be a beautiful celebration of so many things that make Bradford so unique; our history, stunning Victorian architecture, creativity, multicultural communities and hopes and ambitions of our younger generation.”
* There will be several free performances of the 15-minute projection on March 3,4 and 5 from 6-9pm. Visit themillsarealive.co.uk
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