Swinton has plenty to celebrate and has the potential to be one of the best places to live in Greater Manchester. Local people have told us they want to see a more vibrant Swinton, with more going on - and Swinton Ark was created as part of a programme of events developed in response to that community ambition.
Swinton Ark is part of the Swinton Vision events and engagement project.
‘If you could save one object, what would it be?'
When artist Lowri Evans popped up at various locations across Swinton to ask local people that question, she uncovered a fascinating collection of precious stories, memories and objects.
A motor bike sold to pay for a wedding ring, boxes of letters, a little straw chair, and memories of feet dangling in a fountain in the centre of Swinton.
Inspired by those personal stories, projection artists Illuminos created Swinton Ark. A unique sound and light show which took place on Thursday 16 and Friday 17 January 2025, saw the 70 metre façade of Salford Civic Centre (formerly Swinton and Pendlebury Town Hall) come alive with 3D mapped animation, music and sound.
The whole of the building’s Chorley Road frontage was transformed into the Ark; a vast and gleaming vessel of wood and glass. Contained within it like an enormous cabinet of curiosities were the objects, moments and memories of Swinton residents - things that they would save from the flood, precious markers of events, times, and places.
One by one these elements took centre stage as their stories are told, tumbling out of the Ark to form magical memories on a grand scale – all woven together in a dance of Swinton’s past, present and future, bound up and kept safe from the waves below.
Projection artists Illuminos said: “We were very excited to create this bespoke, one-of-a-kind projection artwork in Swinton. Using ideas around those precious things we might save in a flood, we were able to dive into the lives of Swinton’s residents, weaving a tapestry of moments drawn from their lives, entirely specific to the town and on a grand scale.”
Councillor Hannah Robinson-Smith, Lead Member for Culture, Heritage, Equalities, Sports and Leisure said: “It was really exciting to see a project like Swinton Ark that tells the stories of local people in such a unique way, creating something special right in the heart of the town – and transforming a building that has been at the centre of the community for so many years into a beacon of light over two evenings.”
“Swinton has plenty to celebrate and has the potential to be one of the best places to live in Greater Manchester. Local people have told us they want to see a more vibrant Swinton, with more going on - and Swinton Ark is part of a programme of events developed in response to that community ambition.”
Swinton Ark was created by Illuminos.
Research and stories by Lowri Evans.
Event produced by Georgie Edwards from From The Other.
Thank you to Sam, Denise, Princess Purple, Chris, Emma, Tina, Frank and Anita, the Sisters from Utah, Flynn and Sami, Ava, Fiona and Kate, Karen, Paul, Carol, Susan, Enrys, Jill, Glenn, Marie, Alyson and Dave, Harold, Simran, Rodney, Fatuma, Karen, and everyone who generously shared their stories with us.
Local history content sourced from the Not The Whole Story exhibition developed by Swinton and Pendlebury Heritage Group.
With thanks to Paul Dyson, Peggy Manning, Christine Howard, Savills, and the team at Swinton Square.
Supported with funding from Arts Council England.
For further information about Swinton Ark, including many of the historical references contained within it, an information sheet can be downloaded below.
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