Star Wars fans will have the chance to embrace the force when a special exhibition arrives in Manchester today.
Spinningfields has become the first location outside of London to host a public display of the illuminated sculpture Heavy Petal, which features two up-cycled Star Wars aircrafts, the X Wing Fighter and TIE Interceptor.
The pop art pieces are made from unloved old retro Raleigh bicycles and were designed as a collaboration between lighting specialist, Andrew Gibson of Tyson Lighting and Vinny Smith of Northern Backdrop Interior Design.
The sculptures were recently showcased in science, culture and technology magazine, WIRED and will be suspended in the West reception of 3 Hardman Street.
“Since Heavy Petal’s appearance in WIRED magazine, we’ve had a lot of incredible feedback online from Star Wars and Comicon enthusiasts and we’re hoping that this Spinningfields exhibition will be the first of many,” Vinny said.
“We’re hoping to complete the Star Wars Bike Trilogy to coincide with the 7th Star Wars film coming out later this year.”
THE FORCE IS STRONG: The TIE interceptor in all its glory
The innovative design installation was previously installed at a WIRED exhibition at Tobacco Dock in London, where it attracted high profile attention from the media and a purchase offer from American songwriter and entrepreneur Will.i.am.
But the designers say they have held out from selling it so far, preferring instead to showcase the installation in Manchester.
Vinny explained the process behind constructing the unique pieces of work.
“The X-wing Fighter was made by fabricating together the frames of four Raleigh Grifters,” he said.
“The Raleigh Grifter bike was pre-cursor to the BMX and actually released around the same time as the first Star Wars film, Episode IV A New Hope, so it re-kindled childhood memories of mine that formed the basis of this installation.”
Andrew added that him and Vinny both had a good working relationship throughout the project.
“The success of the installations has come from Vinny and I allowing each other to take control in our specialised area, plus we decided any disputes, we did have – with a light sabre duel,” he said.
Tyson Lighting have recently up-scaled their custom-made, bespoke manufacturing design division at their headquarters in Blackburn, Lancashire and are currently working on further, high profile bespoke lighting collaborations – due to be announced later this year.
The exhibition is open free to the public and sculptures are available to purchaseif a price is agreed.
