Platt Hall at Urbis

Installation

This photographic work forms part of an investigation into creative concepts to ‘reinvent’ The Gallery of Costume ahead of it’s re-opening in March 2010 unlocking its potential for the City of Manchester.

The inspiration comes from the eclectic, ephemeral mood of Platt Hall during its time of closure for renovation work. The cinematic quality of the empty display cabinets revealed this curious collection of mannequins.

The stillness and power of their glazed expressions adds to the mystery of their existence. The notion that objects and artifacts in museums have real characters and come to life at night has always been an enchanting notion. The mannequins seem to stealthily observe from behind the glass at the un-suspecting visitors and workers at Platt Hall.
The portraits were intended to exist as part of a temporary exhibition and used for graphics on Platt Hall promotional material designed by Design LAB artists.