Taking Manchester’s favourite games to Rio

A DIGITAL tapestry exploring what “games” mean to the people of Manchester has been simultaneously unveiled at Team GB’s Rio 2016 headquarters and HOME, on First Street, Manchester.

The installation is part of the Manchester School of Art’s Connected Explorers project which invited people from across the North West to submit their photographs to be displayed.

The team received some unusual submissions – hobby horse gymkhanas and Bury black pudding throwing are just two of the unusual “sports” the team have seen.

The digital tapestry is currently on show at British House in Rio, the official “home away from home” for Team GB, as part of an innovative programme of business and cultural events.

Using cutting-edge technology, the submitted images have been turned into a series of huge pictures showcasing Manchester’s sporting and cultural excellence.

The exhibition also has a serious side – the team are partnering up with Oi Kabum!, an art school for some of the poorest but most gifted young people from Rio’s most disadvantaged areas. They have been holding a series of workshops to allow the young people to learn from and with the School of Art lecturers and students.

Backed by Brazilian telephone provider Oi, Oi Kabum! provides training in photography, art history, graphic design, digital imagery and sound design, along with other subjects.

The project team is made up of four students and four members of staff from Manchester School of Art.

Notes to editors

For more information, or to speak to anyone involved in the project, contact Kat Dibbits in the Manchester Metropolitan University press office on 0161 247 5278 or email K.Dibbits@mmu.ac.uk.