Entangled Light: A More-Than-Human Photography Studio
Entangled Light: A More-Than-Human Photography Studio includes workshops, portrait photography, an exhibition and discussion, connecting people, place and the more-than-human world.
How might soil generate light for photography? Can a community garden become a space for creativity, conversation and imagining sustainable futures?
Entangled Light: A More-Than-Human Photography Studio is a public engagement and research project led by artist-researchers Helen McGhie, Senior Lecturer, Photography and Antony Hall Lecturer, Future Media Production from the School of Digital Arts. Working in partnership with Islington Mill and Incredible Edible Salford, the project includes hands-on workshops, portrait photography, an outdoor exhibition and a roundtable discussion, to explore how creative practice can connect people, place and the more-than-human world.
Taking place in and around Islington Mill artist studios and Incredible Edible Salford’s community garden, participants will build microbial soil batteries using recycled materials and soil, generating electricity to power low-voltage lighting within a temporary photography studio in a shipping container. Participants will create photographs and explore sustainable futures through discussion and creativity, and have opportunities to sit for a photographic portrait illuminated by soil-powered light.
The resulting photographs will be displayed in a site-sensitive outdoor exhibition at Islington Mill during Being Human Festival, taking place 5–14 November 2026. Along the way, participants are invited to consider relationships between ecology, sustainable energy, creativity and community, while considering how urban green spaces can support dialogue and connection between people and the more-than-human world.
Book your free place using the links below.
You are welcome to take part in individual or all events.
All events take place at Islington Mill, 1 James St, Salford M3 5HW.
Living Light Lab: Explore the Creative Power of Soil
Saturday 5th September, 10am – 12.30pm
Build microbial ‘mud batteries’ using recycled jars, conductive metals and soil. Participants will explore the garden, power LED lights and create photographs in the More-Than-Human Photography Studio. Hosted by Incredible Edible Salford.
More-Than-Human Photography Studio Portraits
Saturday 12th September, 10am – 4pm | Thursday 17th September, 10am – 4pm
Sit for a portrait illuminated by electricity generated from soil. Participants will be photographed in the More-Than-Human Photography Studio and receive a digital copy of their portrait.
Entangled Light: A More-Than-Human Photography Studio is supported by AHEAD (Arts and Humanities Engagement and Dialogue), the Media and Digital Cultures research group at Manchester Metropolitan University, Incredible Edible Salford and Islington Mill.
It is part of Being Human Festival, the UK’s national festival of the humanities, taking place 5–14 November 2026. Being Human is led by the School of Advanced Study, University of London, in partnership with the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the British Academy.
For further information please see beinghumanfestival.org.
