Fireflies in Manchester: A new public and sustainable artwork installed in Manchester's Grosvenor Square.

Abstract

A new public artwork is being installed in All Saints Grosvenor Square, thanks to European funding (ERDF) for public realm improvements on the Corridor. The public artwork commissioned for the Park promotes an environmental sustainability theme. Professor John Hyatt (Director of Miriad, MMU) and Dr Craig Martin of the Manchester School of Architecture have made a series of solar-powered sculptures based on the concept of the firefly which were briefly captured in jars briefly by children and informed by research into the insect and how it achieves its flashing light. Powered by the sun, the Fireflies flash in four colours (red, green, white and yellow) whilst also emitting three notes tuned to F, C and G, the 12-bar basis of a million popular songs. They are totally green with components that can be used again and are activated by the light of their environment. ‘What is life? It is the flash of the firefly at night… it is the little shadow which runs across the grass and loses itself in the sunset’ (Chief Crowfoot, Blackfoot chief)