A stunning new immersive installation, YOU:MATTER, is now open at the National Science and Media Museum in Bradford, offering a mind-expanding experience like no other. Running from Thursday 3 April to Sunday 22 February 2026, this remarkable exhibition has been created by the renowned artist collective Marshmallow Laser Feast (MLF) and is part of the Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture celebrations.
YOU:MATTER invites visitors on a journey to explore the deep, often invisible connections that bind us to the universe. From the farthest stars in the galaxy to the tiniest cell within our bodies, this installation reveals how everything in our world traces back to the same cosmic origin—the Big Bang. What’s truly special is that this isn’t a one-time event; it’s a constant, ongoing process, still unfolding in the heart of Bradford and inside each of us.
Through a blend of immersive sound, video, and interactive installations, YOU:MATTER brings these concepts to life. Visitors can experience the Earth ‘breathing’ through data from NASA, follow the journey of a single drop of water, and even breathe life into a digital forest. Interactive displays make it fun to discover how the human body is intertwined with the natural world, linking us to water, air, and sunlight—the essential ingredients of life.
The exhibit challenges visitors to reconsider their relationship with the universe, showing how each living thing, large or small, is made of the same basic building blocks. As visitors journey through the installation, they will realise how every part of our existence is connected, encouraging a greater understanding of the Earth, the people we share it with, and the stars above.
Shanaz Gulzar, Creative Director of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture, said: “We’re pleased to be collaborating with the National Science and Media Museum and Marshmallow Laser Feast on this exciting and thought-provoking installation that invites audiences to discover the profound connections between the universe and everyday life. Through immersive technology and Marshmallow Laser Feast’s innovative thinking, YOU:MATTER is the story of Bradford’s people and their place in the cosmos.”
Jo Quinton-Tulloch, Director at the National Science and Media Museum, said: “We are super excited to be launching YOU:MATTER, created especially for Bradford 2025. This amazing digital experience takes visitors on an unforgettable journey to explore their connection to the cosmos. We hope it sparks curiosity and leaves people with a renewed sense of wonder about their place in the universe long after they leave.”
Robin McNicholas, Co-Founder and Creative Director of MLF, said: “YOU:MATTER is an invitation to see yourself as part of something vast—woven from the same cosmic fabric as the stars, the trees and the air we breathe. This experience reveals the hidden choreography of life’s building blocks, from the atomic scale to the planetary. We want visitors to feel their connection to the past, present and future—not just as individuals, but as part of an ongoing story that stretches across time and space.”
Whether you’re a science enthusiast, an art lover, or someone simply curious about the universe, YOU:MATTER offers something for everyone. Its combination of technology and creativity will leave visitors with a deeper understanding of our interconnectedness—and perhaps, a renewed sense of wonder about the world around us.
Don’t miss the chance to experience this one-of-a-kind installation, running until February 2026 at the National Science and Media Museum in Bradford.
