A live performance art installation has been taking over Eccles train station this week.
The art piece, which was designed by Manchester-based artist Lowri Evans, is called Train Dreaming and hopes to bring levity and warmth to the morning commute.
Lowri said: “It’s causing people to look at each other, laugh, smile, notice the world and people around them.
“In some ways that’s so obvious, but it’s profound.”
The scene is running at rush hour every morning, from 7:45am – 9:05am, until Friday, 27 March, on Platform 2.
The piece includes simple movement and text, along with the use of props like newspapers and umbrellas.
Lowri continued: “We’re generating quite a feeling down at the station. It’s letting people know things are going to be a little different this weekend, generating some curiosity, joy and connection.”
The actors participating in the display come from all around Salford and Eccles, including members of the Barton Theatre Company, Eccles Community Art Gallery and the Friends of Eccles Station group, FRECCLES.
Steve Hopkins, the Chair of FRECCLES, said: “This fits really well with the aim of FRECCLES to engage with the community and make the Station a welcoming space.
“It was intended to bring joy and a smile to people on their daily commute on each day this week and seems to have worked for many of those on the train as well as on the platforms.”
It comes to celebrate the upcoming Get In! To Eccles festival, which will take place this weekend.
The festival sees two days packed with music, art, performances, markets, workshops and installations to honour the long-term regeneration of Eccles town centre.
Steve added: “Eccles Station is a key gateway to a historic town that has a huge potential as it undergoes a major facelift.
“The events at the Station and in the town this week will help to highlight that.”
Members of the public passing through the station are welcome to join in with the performance, and train passengers are urged to keep an eye out for the display as they chug through Eccles Station.
“One day, a passenger even joined us while she was waiting for her train,” Lowri remarked.
Daily updates on the art installation can be found on the FRECCLES Facebook page, or on Lowri’s social media.
More information about the upcoming Get In! To Eccles festival can be found here.
Credit for first image: Mark Charnley
