There are two exhibition halls within Imperial War Museum North. The museum has been cleverly designed to feel disorientating to mimic the effects of war. There is a remarkable drop of 8 feet from the entrance of the space to its far end, no natural light and even the temperature fluctuates at different points.
Around the walls of the main exhibition space is a Timeline that guides visitors through the key events of twentieth and twenty-first century warfare - spanning from the First World War, Between the Wars, Second World War, Cold War to the present day. Installations including bunkers, a giant air shaft and First World War Field Gun help to bring the Timeline to life and immerse visitors into the sights, sounds and feel of war. The Big Picture Show adds to the immersion. The impactful reel with surround sound is projected onto 27-foot high walls of the main exhibition space and brings a broad range of perspectives into poignant focus, including: Life on the Line, Life at Home during the Second World War, Remembrance - ways to remember those who have died during conflict.
Art also plays an important role in the Imperial War Museum. Poppies: Wave and Weeping Window has returned as a brand new permanent artwork, Poppies. The iconic hand-crafted ceramic sculptures, conceived by ceramic artist Paul Cummins and designer Tom Piper, have been re-imagined into a new sculptural form which cascade down and pool within the unique architecture of IWM North’s Air Shard.
You would expect this museum to be miserable, but instead encapsulates resilience, creativity, determination and the solidarity of humankind to create a rather uplifting experience.
Details
- Address:
- The Quays
- M17 1TZ
- Transport:
- Imperial War Museum Tram stop MediaCityUK