International artist Shilpa Gupta’s latest work, 'You are the place', is open to the public in Rochdale until Sunday, 20 July 2025 as part of Manchester International Festival.
Gupta's installation, inspired by and created with the Rochdale community, transforms an indoor football pitch on Smith Street into an atmospheric sensory experience. Entry is free. The multilingual sound installation, focusing on themes of waiting, persistence, and hope, features the voices and perspectives of local residents. It is housed in the RISE Inavate Centre, accessible via the 'pitch entrance' opposite the multi-story car park.
Shilpa Gupta at Rochdale Town Hall in May talking about her latest work being premiered in Rochdale this month as part of Manchester International Festival.
Mumbai-based Gupta, whose work has been exhibited globally in institutions like Tate Modern and New York’s Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), collaborated with Rochdale’s communities over the past year, including recent immigrants and asylum seekers. Their thoughts, drawings, and writings were turned into verses by local songwriters in languages such as Ukrainian, English, Urdu, Portuguese, Cantonese, Punjabi, Polish, and Arabic. These were then brought to life by a constellation of voices from within the communities, expressing longing and movement.
‘A deeply moving sound experience’
Councillor Sue Smith, cabinet member for communities and co-operation at Rochdale Borough Council, said:
“You are the place reflects how each individual is made up of many experiences and memories and how as we move through life we carry these fragments and places within our bodies. It is a deeply moving sound experience, blending stories, memories and music that drift across borders and cultures. You only have until Sunday, 20 July 2025 to experience it, so don’t miss out.”
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, council leader Neil Emmott and councillor Sue Smith at Voltalab Studios recently with Shilpa Gupta and a Ukranian community choir during rehearsals for the recording which features in 'You are the place'.
Rochdale resident and singer Iryna Lisnjy, who features in the installation, described the recording as a wonderful experience:
“As a member of a small Ukrainian women's choir in Rochdale, established over 60 years ago and in which our mothers sang, it was such an honour to be asked to participate in this project. Song and dance are such an integral part of Ukrainian culture and one that we wish to continue for as long as we can.”
The exhibition also includes a second artwork by Gupta, titled StillTheyKnowNotWhatIDream. 'You are the place' is supported by Rochdale Business Improvement District (BID), Rochdale Borough Council, and the council’s Rochdale Development Agency (RDA) in partnership with Manchester International Festival. Located just a 2-minute walk from the Rochdale town centre Metrolink stop, the Rise Inavate Centre is open Tuesday to Sunday from 11am to 8pm. The centre also offers food and drink, an activities area and a chill-out space for families, with activities designed by Gupta.
This installation is part of a broader lineup of festivals, live performances, and art events during Rochdale’s year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture 2025-26, celebrating the town's rich history, creativity, talent, and diverse arts scene.
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