‘Human Sensor’ by artist Kasia Molga and advised by scientist Frank Kelly, Professor of Environmental Health, King’s College, London, is a new artwork design for hi-tech clothing that lights up dramatically in response to the wearers breathing.

It displays colours that change with readings of air pollution on the street taken by scientists. If the wearer stops breathing it won’t light up at all.

Like a chameleon, the clothes illuminate and change their colour and pattern with the breathing and air pollution data.

The costumes are laser cut from recycled acrylic polymer with a textile layer on top. The material creates an origami effect – giving the costume a very distinctive look.

The creation will feature in a series of specially choreographed performances across Manchester’s City Centre and will debut on Saturday, 23rd July 2016 at 21:00 at 70 Oxford Road, with further performances until Friday 29th July 2016.

Performers modelling the hi-tech clothing will reveal the presence of invisible pollutants to audiences during walks around various locations in Manchester.

Each walk will culminate in a choreographed performance in Sadler’s Yard, NOMA.

The spectacular performances will mark the culmination of several months of research by the artist and scientist partnership and could lead the way forward in clothing design amongst urban populations around the world.

First Performance: 21:00 – 22:00 Saturday, 23rd July 2016

Starting Location: 70 Oxford Road, Manchester M1 5NH

End Location: NOMA, Sadler’s Yard. Redfern St, Manchester M60 0AB

‘Human Sensor’ is commissioned and produced by Invisible Dust in partnership with Manchester, European City of Science. It is supported by The Wellcome Trust’s Sustaining Excellence Award and Arts Council England.

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