THEY may not make the Kessel run in less than twelve parsecs, but the two newly-installed Star Wars aircraft suspended in the West lobby of Spinningfields' 3 Hardman Street are sure to turn a few heads.
The X-wing Fighter was made by fabricating together the frames of four Raleigh Grifter
Designed by lighting specialists Andrew Gibson and Vinny Smith, the illuminated sculpture, Heavy Petal, features a Star Wars X Wing Fighter and TIE Interceptor made entirely from knackered old Raleigh bicycles and goes on public display in the lobby from Monday 13 April.
The installation comes directly to Manchester following a widely-publicized stint at London's Tobacco Dock as part of a showcase by science and tech mag WIRED.
Heavy PetalSuch was the reception for the pop sculptures that American popstar, actor, producer and The Voice judge, Will.I.Am, put in a bid on the two aircraft, however, the designers have held out on selling in order to take the exhibition on the road.
Designer Vinny Smith said: “The X-wing Fighter was made by fabricating together the frames of four Raleigh Grifters. 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.
“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. We’re hoping to complete the Star Wars Bike Trilogy to coincide with the seventh Star Wars film coming out later this year.”
Visit the Heavy Petal light installation from 13 April 2015 at the West reception of 3 Hardman Street, Spinningfields.
