Art will meet science when a special installation aimed at highlighting the health impact of air pollution and the climate crisis comes to Lancaster.

Pollution Pods by the artist Michael Pinsky will stop off at the University on its way to the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, as part of the Pollution Drift initiative and supporting Lancaster’s own COP26@Lancaster University mini-festival.

Lancaster Arts has arranged for the Pod of the Future to be installed on campus – providing the opportunity for the public to book a visit and experience the quality, smell and temperature of the air people will be breathing in years to come.

The COP26@Lancaster University festival will be a vibrant showcase of talks, interactive events and walks providing an insight into some of the world-leading research and innovation taking place at Lancaster, while also showcasing some of the University’s own sustainability initiatives.

The pod will be installed on Wednesday 27 October, close to Lake Carter on the University’s Bailrigg Campus and is open to the public from 4.30pm to 8.30pm (final entry time). Hot drinks will be provided near the pod and renowned cellist, Maja Bugge, will be playing original compositions, specially created for the pod at 8.15pm.

A discussion event entitled How do we breathe? Arts, air pollution and health equity will take place at the Health Innovation Campus at 6pm featuring a range of speakers including the artist Michael Pinsky and various climate and health experts.

Jocelyn Cunningham, Director of Lancaster Arts, said: “It is fantastic to have the opportunity to present Michael Pinsky’s work and stimulate conversation on this vital area that affects all of us before the pod goes to COP26 in Glasgow. We hope visitors will linger and join us for hot drinks. This spectacular artwork illustrates how art can bring home the impact of air pollution on our streets, on ourselves and on our children and young people. This is an event for all ages and we look forward to welcoming you.”

Lancaster itinerary

Open to the public - 4.30pm to 8.30pm

How do we breathe? talk - 6pm to 7.45pm

Cello performance by Maja Bugge - 7.45pm to 8.15pm

VIP photos - 8pm

Cello performance by Maja Bugge - 8.15pm to 8.30pm

Final pod entry time - 8.30pm

In London, all five climatically controlled pods will appear together. Visitors will be able to compare New Delhi’s suffocating haze of airborne particles to London’s invisible but deadly output of nitrate oxides and the truly clean air of Tautra in Norway. Mr Pinsky worked with International Fragrances and Flavors (IFF) to reproduce the scents in the pollution mix, while the Tautra pod uses AirHavn Pro portable air filtration technology from AirLabs to remove all gas and particle pollutants.

The other pods from the installation will touch down in Birmingham, Sheffield and Newcastle before being reunited in Glasgow on the eve of COP26, with a call for world leaders to make air pollution an explicit priority in climate action and sustainable development activities.

For further details and to book your visit to the pod, go to https://www.lancasterarts.org/whats-on/event/michael-pinsky-the-pod-of-the-future/