The biennial Manchester International Festival has taken over the city for the past week bringing arts and culture and helping to shine a light on the diverse and unique city of Manchester.
Away from the headline shows of New Order, Arcade Fire and What if Women Ruled the World, the festival has also commissioned a unique and compelling installation by Karl Hyde and Rick Smith from Underworld which is close to our hearts.
The Manchester Street Poem brings to life stories of those who find themselves homeless in Manchester and examines the term ‘homeless’ through words and phrases drawn from the streets and a powerful soundtrack built on snippets recorded all over the city.
The work is a collaboration between Underworld and people with personal experience of homelessness and it proudly broadcasts ‘the voices of those who so often go unheard and ignored’.
Viv, from Street Support Network, said: “It is fantastic to see this project emerge through the collaboration between all those involved. Every time you visit there is more to take in. Best of all is the atmosphere at the site – the stories shared on the walls through sound and in person, the sense of community and hope that comes from this partnership despite all the challenges, and simply being able to drop in to hang out with Mooch, Jo, Jez, Tommy, Danny and others whenever we are nearby.”
The installation is located at UNFEAR on Oldham Street and is free and open to the public from Thursday 6th July to Friday 14th July 10am – 6pm and it is not to be missed!
Have you been already? If so let us know what you think by using the hashtag #mcrstreetpoem and tweeting us @StreetSupportUK and also let others know to help raise awareness and make positive changes towards ending homelessness in Manchester.