Photo – The Matter of the Heart in Lancaster in 2024, credit: Calamar Creative
People are being invited to “lend their heartbeats” for a special light installation celebrating the people and spirit of Stoke-on-Trent.
The Matter of the Heart event will form part of arts organisation Appetite’s Light Up Winter series, and will take place in Middleport Park on 21st and 22nd January 2026 (4-8pm).
The artwork, created by award-winning studio idontloveyouanymore, is comprised of 30 glowing boxes.
Each box will be connected to a person’s live heartbeat and accompanied by a short description of their link to Stoke-on-Trent.
Combined, organisers say these will form a portrait of the city’s beating heart.
Those chosen to take part will be invited to a 15-minute session on either 17th or 19th January, between 10am and 4pm, at community organisation Middleport Matters’ base on Harper Street.
They will wear a heart monitor and download an app to transmit their heartbeat.
During the event, each light box will pulse in time with the participants’ live heartbeats, bringing the installation to life.
Those taking part will also be asked to share a few words about what Stoke-on-Trent means to them.
Audience members will then be able to walk among the flashing “hearts” during the free-to-attend event.
“We’d like to invite people – especially Middleport residents – to lend their heartbeats and share their connection to Stoke-on-Trent,” said Appetite assistant producer Emma Hobbs.
“The process is very simple – you don’t need a mobile device – and we would love you to come along and find your own heart.”
Anyone wishing to take part can apply online, and a total of 30 people will be selected in January.
Appetite’s other free-of-charge events taking place early next year include Light Up Hanley (3rd and 4th February, 5-8pm) and Newcastle-under-Lights (4th March, 6-9pm).
You can read more from Hannah Hiles by visiting her website.
Follow So Staffordshire on Facebook, Threads and Instagram, or email staffordshire@so-counties.co.uk with story suggestions and to enquire about advertising opportunities.
