First Artist in residence announced for Energy House 2.0

Science and art will collide as internationally recognised artist Mishka Henner becomes the first artist-in-residence at Energy House 2.0, with the University of Salford Art Collection in partnership with Open Eye Gallery and Castlefield Gallery. 

Mishka Henner was born in Brussels and now lives in Manchester, with his art known across the globe. As an artist in residence, Mishka will spend 18 months at the new state-of-the-art research facility Energy House 2.0, developing new work on themes such as the climate crisis, net zero research, and the future of housing. 

Mishka produces books, films, and photographic and sculptural works that reflect on cultural and industrial infrastructures, focusing on the digital terrain and subjects of cultural and geo-political interest. Mishka’s work has been exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Centre Pompidou, Paris and the Victoria & Albert Museum, London.

He said: “Energy House 2.0 is a unique monument to human ingenuity in the face of climate catastrophe. As an artist, I’m thrilled to have the opportunity of working closely with scientists and engineers to reflect on how we approach one of the great challenges of our time.”

Selected from an open call held by the University of Salford Art Collection in 2022, Mishka will work alongside leading scientists, specialists, researchers and industry partners, considering ‘the different ways we can see energy, and how climate catastrophe haunts our present condition’.

Professor Richard Fitton, of Energy House Labs, said: “Following our recent completion of the McCoy Wynne project, we could not wait to start a new project with the Art Collection team. Following a competitive process, we are excited to welcome a local but world-renowned artist, Mishka Henner, for an 18-month placement. We are looking to Mishka to provide some world-leading and provocative new work.”

Launched in January 2023 Energy House 2.0 is testing full-sized houses by national housebuilders Bellway Homes and Barratt Developments, with construction solutions manufacturer Saint-Gobain. It is a large environmentally-controllable chamber, containing two full-sized detached houses – capable of simulating wind, rain, snow, solar radiation and extreme temperatures. Energy House 2.0 is part-funded by the European Research Development Fund (ERDF) and is a world-leading research hub, testing the latest in carbon-reducing technology. energyhouse2.com

Mishka’s artwork will be showcased at LOOK Photo Biennial in Liverpool in 2024 with Open Eye Gallery, at Castlefield Gallery in 2025, and at the University of Salford at a later date.

A second residency opportunity is also currently open for application until Monday 24^th April at 9am. Visit the Art Collection website for full details.

This project has been made possible through funding from the Friends of Energy House 2.0 community: https://energyhouse2.salford.ac.uk/friends-of-energy-house-2-0/