Futurist sleep pods treat Arndale shoppers to unique napping experience

ARTISTIC installation and science experiment combined, The Chronarium has already fascinated participants in Singapore.

The Chronarium sleep laboratory has been set up in Manchester Arndale to allow city dwellers to grab a quick forty-winks during their busy schedules.

As part of Manchester Science Festival, London-based Loop.pH artists Rachel Wingfield and Mathias Gmachi designed the ‘sleep lab’ to allow shoppers to lay down their mobile phones, take off their shoes and lay back in a blissful haven hidden in plain sight.

In its 10th year, the festival will bring over 130 unique events, headlining with Cloud Crash and Public Service Broadcasting, alongside The Chronarium itself.

Festival director, Antonio Benitez said: “The Chronarium gives an opportunity for people to really explore the importance of sleep on wellbeing and the impact of quality of sleep on quality of life.

“People living today sleep significantly less than generations before, with sleep disorders on the rise.

“We are only just beginning to understand the impact that sleep disorders have on people’s lives and society at large.

“We are thrilled to be able to offer our MSF visitors the opportunity to experience and be part of this intriguing and spell-binding scientific experiment.”

Manchester Arndale, one of the busiest hubs in the city, will host the half-installation, half-science experiment for the entire duration of the festival, offering passers-by a 15 minute pause from every day stresses.

The lab contains white fabric pods for participants to doze in, whilst a combination of audio-visual techniques help guide them into a 15-minute cycle which trains the brain into a state of deep relaxation.

A specially developed soundtrack composed by artist Anna Meredith accompanies the fading colours in the tent, which eventually fade to black.

This event is part of a vibrant and eclectic programme of events from Virtual Reality playground for children, to The Science of Gambling at 235 Casino, on Watson Street.

Benitez added: “Making sure the festival is accessible to all people is really important to us.

“It is important to make sure we deliver activities in unexpected places.”

Originally commissioned for FutureEverything Festival, Singapore, in 2015, The Chronarium has seen more than 800 people engaged in the experience.

This installation is situated in Halle Square, in Manchester Arndale until Sundaty October 30. Entrance is free, although during busy periods, booking may be required.

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