Following our recent work with the British Textile Biennial 2025, we were invited at short notice to support a major feature of the programme, an immersive, multi-media exhibition by internationally renowned artist and designer Aitor Throup, presented at the Empire Theatre, Burnley.
Our involvement came in the final stages of preparation, assisting with the installation and technical delivery of a lighting design created by Andy Purves. The exhibition formed part of the Biennial’s closing weekend; a powerful finale to a month-long celebration of textiles, design, and creative innovation across the North West.
An immersive retrospective at the Empire
As described in the official BTB press release, Throup’s exhibition offered audiences “a chance to experience and explore the genre-defying, multi-disciplinary work of this globally acclaimed artist/designer whose beginnings in Burnley inspired him towards an endless path of exploration and innovation.”
Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Empire Theatre, the show was a career-spanning retrospective, featuring Throup’s iconic designs, from the reimagined C.P. Company Goggle Jacket to his costumes for the Hunger Games and Ash , alongside his latest collaboration with Umbro, “set to rewrite the design rulebook not only in football, but in the world of performance apparel.”
Light for atmosphere and narrative
Working to Andy’s design, we helped realise a lighting environment that matched the intensity and emotion of Throup’s work. The design transformed the Empire Theatre’s interior into a sculptural, cinematic space, one that reflected both the drama of the venue and the depth of the artist’s narrative.
HardaleAV assisted with the installation of the lighting fixtures, ensuring the final presentation met the high standards of the creative team. The result was an immersive environment where light became a storytelling element in its own right, shaping the audience’s movement and emotional response throughout the exhibition.
Collaboration and conclusion
Bringing the project together under tight timeframes required close coordination between the install team, the BTB production crew, Andy Purves, and Aitor Throup’s studio. The result was a seamless, technically refined installation that elevated the emotional and visual experience of the show; a fitting crescendo for BTB 2025’s closing weekend.
From our earlier installations at Haworth Art Gallery, Pendle Heritage Centre and The Whitaker, to this final collaboration at the Empire Theatre, it’s been a privilege to contribute to a festival that celebrates both the region’s creative heritage and its forward-looking innovation.
All photos courtesy of British Textile Biennial