Background to the Project

'Faces of Manchester' is a project aimed to stimulate interest and discussion about the genetic, social and cultural aspects of the human face as part of the first Manchester Science Festival. It was organised by Nowgen (A Centre for Genetics in Healthcare).

Genemation took over 300 images of Mancunian faces and merged selected images to create a set of 10 composite portraits. These portraits show the average appearance for particular groups; such as Manchester City supporter, Manchester United supporter, wine drinker, bingo player.

During the Manchester Science Festival all 10 portraits will be hung inside the MoSI (Museum of Science and Industry) . Later in the year they will be displayed in the Manchester Central Library. A Second set are on permanent display in the Nowgen Centre.

From the 300+ faces we collected 150 were used to create the "Faces of Manchester Film". This video shows each face morphing into the next. During the Manchester Science Festival it was shown on the BBC Big Screen in Exchange Square and throughout the Manchester Arndale Centre. The film can be viewed below.