UMIST – 175 Years – Manchester, UK
Posted by: 
dtrebilc
N 53° 28.525 W 002° 13.949
30U E 550940 N 5925433
These 2 large magnets were the winning design in a competition for a public artwork to celebrate the 175th anniversary of The University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST) in 1999.
Waymark Code: WME5V7
Location: North West England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 04/07/2012
Views: 3
The statue stands next to a railway viaduct on Altrincham Street near the student union building for what used to be UMIST, but in 2004 merged with another university to become simply Manchester University.
UMIST specialised in technical and scientific subjects and was a major centre for research. Its motto was Scientia et Labore (By Knowledge and Work).
It started life in 1824 as Mechanic’s Institute where artisans could learn basic science, particularly mechanics and chemistry. Many such institutes were formed in this Victorian era to sustain the knowledge and expertise needed for industrial growth.
UMIST was the only one in the UK that managed to remain as an independent institution, (at least until 2004).
The magnets are positioned nearby to modern buildings housing the students union and accommodation blocks. Nearby on the other side of the railway viaduct is the large main building dating from 1902.
The sculpture is called Generation of Possibilities and was sculpted by Paul Frank Lewthwaite who specialises in using everyday urban objects in his art pieces. (
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