Discover the essence of speed and explore Manchester running culture at a free exhibition at Aviva Studios from Originals Creator Network (OCN) North – a group of 20 emerging creatives from across Manchester and the North.
Running in Motion (25-26 April) is curated and created by the first ever cohort of OCN North – a six-month development programme established in 2024 by adidas Originals and Factory International.
Through audio-visual installations, interactive storytelling, and powerful design, the cohort has reimagined what it means to move fast.
Running in Motion takes over the Social with four major works: PULSE, Do Not Go Gentle, Unsung Heroes, and Three Stories, Three Stripes. Each explores the concept of speed through a unique lens, taking inspiration from Manchester culture, community, and adidas’ Adizero shoe.
Established in 2024 by adidas Originals and Factory International, Originals Creator Network (OCN) North builds on the success of OCN South, which was founded in London in 2022 to provide opportunities to underrepresented talent in the UK’s creative scene.
The OCN North programme champions diverse voices, reflecting Factory International and adidas’s shared ambition to cultivate an inclusive creative industry and to offer development opportunities for emerging talent in the region. Applications for the next edition of OCN South programme in London have recently taken place and future cohorts of OCN North in Manchester are set for annual recruitment in the years to come.
Based at Aviva Studios, this first edition of OCN North has brought together 20 emerging creatives from across Manchester and the North over the past six-months. The programme provides a platform to develop their skills, build networks and explore new opportunities in the creative industries through mentorship from adidas and Factory International, masterclasses, and hands-on experience.
Find out more about the creatives selected for the first ever cohort of Originals Creator Network North on the Factory International website here.
Now, responding to a creative brief from adidas, inspired by Manchester’s running culture, the cohort present the culmination of their work – a free exhibition built around speed at Aviva Studios which will launch at 6pm on 25 April and run all day on 26 April 2025 – Running in Motion.
PULSE
They watch the blur of motion; you feel the clarity of purpose.
To them, it’s a race; to you, it’s a connection to your flow.
From the sidelines, they see speed. From within, you feel the momentum pulling you forward.
They see effort; what you feel is transcendence—a fleeting moment where your mind and body align.
PULSE is an audio-visual experience exploring the synergy between speed, sound and rhythm. This immersive installation blends an interactive soundscape with dynamic visuals to present a constellation of Manchester’s running culture and community.
PULSE gets to the heart of how it feels to go fast – the endurance and euphoria of runner’s high are refracted through a modular soundtrack where audiences are invited to set their own cadence and emulate poetic expressions of pace and flow.
By Beni De Makoso, Ella Murray, Brit Seaton, Elizabeth Bisuga and Arif True.
DO NOT GO GENTLE
Step into Do Not Go Gentle, an electrifying zine and installation exploring speed through Manchester’s vibrant nightlife. From drag to dance, clubbing to running, this project captures the pulse of the city after dark, revealing how ‘fast’ is felt beyond the physical. Bold imagery, design, and storytelling celebrate diverse subcultures, while the adizero range weaves into the narrative.
In contrast to the zine’s high-energy aesthetic, the installation offers a moment of stillness—inviting visitors to sit beneath a glowing moon and reflect. Visitors are invited to create their own A5 zine pages underneath the moon as part of our exhibition.
Featuring worn trainers, drag accessories, and curated visuals, this immersive experience invites audiences to feel, see, and live the story. Expect a visually striking, celebratory, and thought-provoking journey through Manchester’s nocturnal spirit.
By Jack Jameson, Rosa Fryer, Honor Rowlands, Amy Parton and Oscar Cloud.
UNSUNG HEROES
Unsung Heroes spotlights exceptional real-life stories that uncover the profound impact running has beyond the finish line; honouring the transformative, healing power of running and celebrating the unsung heroes that uplift our running communities.
Featuring a handcrafted medallion displayed upon bespoke podiums Unsung Heroes serves a new kind of recognition – not just speed, but the mental resilience and determination it takes to keep moving forward. Spectators are invited to rethink how we reward ourselves for overcoming adversity, reminding us that every step we take, is built on the moments we chose to rise after falling, and how our personal triumphs have such profound impact in shaping the milestones of those around us. Our fast is only possible because of each-other.
By Angelica Giles, Rakhel Ojinnaka, Kymara Akinpelumi, Areesha Ali and Hriday Das.
THREE STORIES, THREE STRIPES
Three Stories, Three Stripes is a three-channel video installation exploring the spiritual and somatic possibilities of runners high. Set to a bassline heavy score, each film explores speed as a response to inner city life.
Through experimental frequencies and the influence of sound system culture, audiences can expect to feel immersed as they follow three personal stories, sharing a common thread of human nature and how each individual relates to running.
By Ayman Chaudhry, Ella Mayamothi Sommeil, Sujanhariharan Ragunathan, Brody Salmon and Anthony Namba.
QUOTES
Rakhel Ojinnaka, creator – Originals Creator Network North said: “The way my capabilities have been stretched has been really transformative. I feel like I’m a different person in a lot of ways. Getting the experience to grow and develop – even as purely as being in the room and learning from others, communicating with them and facing challenges straight up. It’s been hard work but really positive.”
Brit Seaton, creator – Originals Creator Network North said: ““OCN North has been full of unexpected discoveries and new connections. I had no idea what to expect but I’ve found so many creative opportunities and have refined the direction I want to take my practice in as a Creative Producer. It’s been amazing to collaborate with such amazing people and to find such genuine connections, both personally and in our work. The facilitators have empowered us to show up as ourselves and I’m excited to carry the ideas explored here into future projects too.”
Scott McVittie – Executive Commercial Director, Factory International said: “Manchester has always been a city that moves fast, and this cohort has captured that spirit, bringing fresh perspectives and bold ideas to the table. The work they’ve created doesn’t just reflect where we are now, but where the creative industries are heading – diverse, dynamic, and driven by new voices.
“We know that arts and culture can have a profound impact on people’s lives, careers, and wider society. The future of our sector depends on giving emerging talent real opportunities to experiment, collaborate, and be seen, and that’s exactly what OCN North has done.”
LISTINGS:
Running In Motion
25 – 26 April (Exhibition Launch – 6pm 25 April)
The Social, Factory International, Aviva Studios
Free to attend, no booking required
Running in Motion | Aviva Studios | Manchester – Factory International
DOWNLOAD HIGH RESOLUTION IMAGES HERE
For more information and interview requests, please contact:
Anja Samy – Press Officer, Factory International
anja.samy@factoryinternational.org