Imperial War Museum North

The Imperial War Museum North, built in 2002, boasts striking architecture whilst settled on the waterfront of Quay West in Manchester. The architect, Daniel Libeskind, wanted to reflect how wars have shattered our earth. Although we have always recovered from them, the broken pieces fit back together but not perfectly, stating that things will not be the same. The early 1900’s are fascinating. The society, the fashion and the whole industrial movement was influenced massively during WWI.

The interior layout and design of the gallery creates a heavy atmosphere and will make your thoughts and feelings conflict with one another. I felt fear and intimidation as well as empathy and respect for the people that had to cope with day to day life during the war. The constant noise of bombs and sirens contrasted between the sound of general chit chat and children running and playing. The lighting partnered with the eerie soundtrack playing all around. Apart from the lights from the artwork and display cabinets, the area was dark and claustrophobic. I don’t mean this to be a bad thing, it is good in which the museum really have successfully created a space which allows you to feel just a fraction of what people of that era felt.

A large oil painting painted by Anne Airy in 1918 depicted the atmosphere of wartime industry. The eye-catching canvas marries perfectly with the sound of churning furnaces playing from the speakers dotted around the room, literally bringing the painting to life. The vibrant oil colours reflected the heat coming from the huge furnaces. The image is of the Armstrong-Whitworth Works, a factory in Openshaw, Manchester. The workers are making the barrel of an 18-inch gun, one of the largest used by British forces.

Another piece I saw was an illustration of 3 women in various uniforms named ‘The Three Sisters.’ Painted in 1917 by Edmund Dulac, it shows the roles woman had during WWI and how they had become unified. I noticed there was a significant focus on women and their own struggles; there is a great deal of photography and artwork revolving around the suffragettes and their protests.

To conclude this short review, I only focus on a fraction of what this museum has to offer. As it works to give you a true experience, you won’t be deprived of what it has to offer.