Museum’s spotlight on region’s war role

A CENTURY after the outbreak of the First World War, the Imperial War Museum North is staging the largest-ever exhibition exploring the North-West during the war.

It unveils extraordinary and surprising personal stories — with objects never before on public display — that help reveal the region’s role in the global conflict.

The museum (IWM) has also been commissioning artists to create responses to conflict since the First World War. Now, to commemorate the centenary, the museum has put on “Reactions14”, which aims to give contemporary relevance to the First World War.

As well as the collection of artworks, there will be a series of talks and discussions led by the artists and historians.

The exhibitions and events include:

RedBlueRedBlue (to August 31) — a live illustration by artist Mark Anstee. The constantly evolving artwork will see the artist use the opposing colours of red and blue, which symbolise warring factions, to draw thousands of army action figures which over the course of the drawing will eventually obliterate themselves to represent the futility of war.

The artwork will be live streamed via YouTube to a number of external locations, a first for IWM North.

Visitors will be encouraged to post their own images of the constantly changing drawings, using the hashtag #RedBlueRedBlue, which will be brought together in an online gallery.

Perspectives14: Trench (Sunday, August 10, 2.30-3.30pm) — Historian Dr Stephen Bull will explore trench warfare from 1914 to 1918, from the construction of the trenches and their different types, to the new weaponry and tactics employed in defence and attack.

The event is free but booking is required, which can be done via the website www.quaytickets.com.

Large Outdoor Frames: Women and industry (until September 30) — Six images from IWM’s photography collection, displayed in 5m high frames outside IWM North, will explore the role of women in the north of England. The images, taken by official war office photographer GP Lewis, reflect one of the most significant changes to society which resulted from the conflict.

A Closer Look: Military Pride (Sunday, August 24, 2.15pm) — find out more about the hidden histories of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual communities in periods of war and peacekeeping in this 20-minute tour. This is followed by a 20-minute film featuring personal testimony from LGBT ex-service personnel.

Syria: Humanity in Conflict (until September 14) — created in partnership with the British Red Cross, this photographic display explores the experiences of civilians in Syria since the outbreak of conflict, three years since the start of the Arab Spring in 2011.

For more information or to book any of the events, visit the website www.iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-north or call 0161-836 4000.