Mr. Smith’s Dream: Exploring the Quirky Side of Manchester's Northern Quarter

While exploring Manchester, I stumbled upon a fascinating piece of public art built directly into the exterior wall of the Manchester Craft and Design Centre. On a previous visit, the artwork's internal light was broken, making it impossible to see. This time, despite the glass reflecting my own face back at me, I managed to capture it lit up in all its glory. It’s an incredibly charming scene featuring a dog, a sweeping staircase curving out of sight, and a warm glow emanating from an unseen room.

The piece is a commemoration of the historic pet shops that used to fill the Northern Quarter, specifically honoring a local shop owner named Mr. Smith. The symbolism is wonderfully surreal. Is the dog a stylistic representation of Mr. Smith, or is it one of his pets? And where do those stairs lead? Perhaps analyzing a piece explicitly titled "Mr. Smith's Dream" is missing the point. The dream, I assume, was simply his lifelong wish to own a pet shop.

Intrigued, I dug around the artist's website and discovered an interactive element: you can supposedly text the word "OTTER" to a specific number to find out what Mr. Smith is currently dreaming. I sent the text, but as of yet, I haven't received a reply. Perhaps he's having a dreamless sleep. And why "otter"? There isn't an otter anywhere in the display.

If you find yourself in the Northern Quarter, it’s well worth hunting this down. The installation also features bells that ring out three times a day. The timing is weirdly unspecific, so if you happen to catch them, consider yourself lucky. I wouldn't recommend standing around waiting for them, though—much like the light on my first visit, the mechanics might well be taking a day off. Fortunately, the Northern Quarter is filled with excellent independent coffee shops, so there are much worse places to lose track of time.

Photography Notes:
Location: Exterior wall of the Manchester Craft and Design Centre, Oak Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester.
Subject: "Mr. Smith's Dream" light box installation by artist Mark Kennedy / Piccadilly Box.
The Challenge: Shooting light installations behind protective glass during the day is a nightmare for reflections. To minimize seeing your own face in the frame, try shooting at a slight angle rather than dead-on, or use a circular polarizing filter (CPL) to cut through the glare.