# Event Details - **Event Name**: Living Light Lab: Make a Soil Battery to Power Light for Photography - **Event Start and End Date**: Sat, 05 Sep, 2026 at 10:00 am – Sat, 05 Sep, 2026 at 12:30 pm (+01:00) - **Event Description**: Explore the Creative Power of Soil. Build ‘mud' batteries from compost to power a More-Than-Human Photography Studio in Salford..About this EventJoin us to create microbial fuel cell batteries using soil, recycled jars, conductive metals and simple electronics. Together, we will generate sustainable energy to power a More-Than-Human Photography Studio at Islington Mill artist studios in Salford. Participants will explore the garden, power LED lights and create photographs. Hosted by Incredible Edible Salford as a lead-up activity for Being Human Festival 2026.Led by artist-researchers Helen McGhie (Senior Lecturer, Photography) and Antony Hall (Lecturer, Future Media Production) from Manchester Metropolitan University’s School of Digital Arts, this hands-on workshop explores the creative and ecological potential of soil as a source of sustainable energy. We will investigate microbial activity in the community gardens at Islington Mill, discovering how soil bacteria and fungi support plant growth and can generate low-voltage electricity.During this workshop, participants will:Collect and observe soil samples from the gardenBuild microbial fuel cell batteriesUse the batteries to power LED lightsCreate still-life photographs in the More-Than-Human Photography Studio (to be showcased in the Entangled Light garden exhibition at Islington Mill from 5–14 November).Explore connections between ecology, creativity and sustainable energyDiscuss the garden as a site of exchange, collaboration and possibilityWho is this workshop for?Adults and young people with an interest in art, photography, ecology, sustainability or creative technology. No prior experience is required.AccessibilityThe Islington Mill building is fully accessible indoors. Some of the workshop will take place outdoors. Due to the cobbled courtyard, there are some uneven outside surfaces and there is a step up to a shipping container, which will be used for part of the workshop. A ramp is available for this part of the activity, please contact h.mcghie@mmu.ac.uk before the event if you require it. Access support will be provided during the activity where possible.What to bringSuitable outdoor clothing and footwear for working in the garden in early September.Entangled Light: A More-Than-Human Photography Studio is supported by , the Media and Digital Cultures research group at Manchester Metropolitan University, Incredible Edible Salford and Islington Mill.This work will contribute to Being Human Festival, the UK’s national festival of the humanities, taking place 5–14 November 2026. Being Human is led by the School of Advanced Study, University of London, in partnership with the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the British Academy. For further information please see . https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events10/banners/8820b180-a875-11f1-a4a1-eb59356bc08b-rimg-w740-h740-dcf8f8f8-gmir.jpg https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events8/banners/8865d0d0-a875-11f1-a4a1-eb59356bc08b-rimg-w1200-h600-dcb84878-gmir.jpg - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/salford/living-light-lab-make-a-soil-battery-to-power-light-for-photography/100001996654993835 - **Event Categories**: workshops, art, festivals, exhibitions - **Interested Audience**: - total_interested_count: 0 - **Event Highlights**: - Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes - Location: Islington Mill - Languages: English ## Ticket Details - **Ticket Price Range**: min: 0, max: 0, currency: GBP ## Event venue details - **city**: Salford - **state**: EN - **country**: United Kingdom - **location**: Islington Mill - **lat**: 53.4818453 - **long**: -2.2632571 - **full address**: Islington Mill, 1 James Street, Salford, United Kingdom ## Event gallery - **Alt text**: Living Light Lab: Make a Soil Battery to Power Light for Photography - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events3/banners/2c23f4c62a3bb4f5d2393094b9bc4ae758027d4a2e45b5e2968ca3cbf666b624-rimg-w1200-h721-dc080808-gmir.jpg?v=1786914131 ## FAQs - **Q**: When and where is Living Light Lab: Make a Soil Battery to Power Light for Photography being held? - **A:** Living Light Lab: Make a Soil Battery to Power Light for Photography takes place on Sat, 05 Sep, 2026 at 10:00 am to Sat, 05 Sep, 2026 at 12:30 pm at Islington Mill, 1 James Street, Salford, United Kingdom. - **Q**: Who is organizing Living Light Lab: Make a Soil Battery to Power Light for Photography? - **A:** Living Light Lab: Make a Soil Battery to Power Light for Photography is organized by School of Digital Arts (SODA). - **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me? - **A:** Living Light Lab: Make a Soil Battery to Power Light for Photography is ideal for curious learners, students, and skill-builders looking to gain hands-on knowledge and practical expertise in a focused, interactive setting. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Salford, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. If Living Light Lab: Make a Soil Battery to Power Light for Photography sounds like your kind of event, don't wait - spots fill up fast. ## Structured Data (JSON-LD) ```json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Event", "name": "Living Light Lab: Make a Soil Battery to Power Light for Photography", "image": "https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events3/banners/2c23f4c62a3bb4f5d2393094b9bc4ae758027d4a2e45b5e2968ca3cbf666b624-rimg-w1200-h721-dc080808-gmir.jpg?v=1786914131", "startDate": "2026-09-05T10:00:00+01:00", "endDate": "2026-09-05T12:30:00+01:00", "url": "https://allevents.in/salford/living-light-lab-make-a-soil-battery-to-power-light-for-photography/100001996654993835", "location": { "@type": "Place", "name": "Islington Mill", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "1 James Street", "postalCode": "M3 5HW", "addressLocality": "Salford", "addressRegion": "EN", "addressCountry": "GB" }, "geo": { "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "latitude": "53.4818453", "longitude": "-2.2632571" } }, "eventAttendanceMode": "https://schema.org/OfflineEventAttendanceMode", "description": "Explore the Creative Power of Soil. 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