Imperial War Museum North
Manchester’s Imperial War Museum North is one of the most unconventional buildings in the UK. The award-winning building was designed by renowned architect Daniel Libeskind and is located at the Quays.
The building itself exhibits a highly complex geometry. The design represents a globe shattered by war and broken into shards. The Earth Shard is the main gallery of the building, the Water Shard a restaurant, while the Air Shard is a large tower offering good views of Manchester and the Quays. Sloping floors and ceilings induce disorientation similar to that experienced in war.
Although the museum does contain physical objects, its main focus is on experiences of war rather than the weapons themselves. Permanent exhibits include:
The Big Picture
Every hour the museum’s lights are dimmed and visitors are treated to an award-winning 360° audio-visual experience. Continually changing images of war are projected onto the gallery walls and floor, accompanied by music, sounds and recordings.
Large Objects
These include the artillery piece that fired the first shell from the British side in the First World.
Silos
Six separate exhibition areas exploring different aspects of war including the role of women, journalism and propaganda.
Admission is free.
Reviews / Comments / Additional Information
Until January 6 2008 the Special Exhibitions Gallery is hosting the Animals’ War exhibition. This family-friendly exhibition explores the role of animals in conflict from WW1 until the present day. Admission is free.