Abandon Normal Devices Festival (AND) is an energetic festival of art, digital culture and new cinema. AND’s mission is to change the way we think and push the boundaries of audience experience through a programme that spills out from the screens into the imaginations and streets of the North West.
For 2012, AND explores the endless pursuit of success. In the year the UK hosts the Olympic and Paralympic Games, AND looks at the high value we put on competitive lifestyles. How do we define success and how does this shape society? Featuring exhibitions, performances, screenings and debates, the Festival will challenge the current state of play to find an alternative.
The festival will take place in Manchester with an extended regional programme. Since 2009 AND has commissioned work from Carolee Schneemann, Krzysztof Wodiczko, Gillian Wearing, Phil Collins, Rafael Lozano Hemmer, the Yes Men, Ubermorgen and Apichatpong Weerasethakul.
"Not only does AND champion a certain notion of experimental art, its very structure aims to upset received notions of what an art and film festival should be." – Sight and Sound
Sun 15 Apr 2012 2pm at Cornerhouse
Fri 22 Jun 2012 to Sun 26 Aug 2012 at FACT
Wed 1 Feb 2012 Wed 1 Feb 2012 to Sun 9 Sep 2012, 0 midnight at Online
Wed 29 Aug 2012 to Sun 2 Sep 2012 Various events over 5 days at Cornerhouse, Manchester
Fri 22 Jun 2012 to Sat 23 Jun 2012 at Cornerhouse, Manchester
Presented by FACT and Cornerhouse
The festival is funded by the Legacy Trust, Arts Council England Grants for the Arts, Creative England and the Wellcome Trust.
AND is part of WE PLAY, the North West cultural legacy programme for the Cultural Olympiad, funded by Legacy Trust UK, creating a lasting impact from London 2012 by funding ideas and local talent to inspire creativity across the UK.
Photo still from 'Piercing Brightness' 2012, directed by Shezad Dawood.
from our Olympic Torch Bearers
from Engaging Community
from our Paralympic Athletes
5 August 2016More Information >
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Check out the latest news and blog posts about London 2012 in the North West and find out how you can get involved in the celebrations.
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An amazing range of London 2012 events are taking place all over the North West. Most of them are free and there’s something for everyone.
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Sign up for the WE PLAY Challenge to take part in an Olympic journey like no other, right here in the North West! Join in, take part and turn up to play your part in London 2012.
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The modern Games is a fusion of sport and art, and the North West is delivering a cultural programme to celebrate like never before.
London 2012 has inspired people from across the UK to do something amazing in their community. Meet the stars on your street corner...
The Games has brought a wealth of opportunities for businesses in the North West.
With sporting events, Training Camps in the region and fantastic athletes coming from the North West, London 2012 is about far more than the capital!
See how the North Westis playing it's part...
Some great sporting talent from the North West is heading to London to represent Team GB in both the Paralympic and Olympic Games.
Old Trafford is playing host to nine football matches during the Games, including two semi-final games.
Passing through eight North West towns on its tour of the country, a host of celebrations and personalities will blaze through the region.
Nations from all over the globe are making use of our top class facilities to train for victory.
Share your stories and photos online, and leave your mark on London 2012