Photo: Paul Blakemore
Breathe
An immersive sound and light experience breathing Jacobs Wells Baths back to life
Breathe is an immersive installation by In Between Time that transforms historic spaces through sound, light and collective human presence.
In development for the reopening of Jacobs Wells Baths in 2027 with Trinity Community Arts and support from The National Lottery through Arts Council England, the work uses recordings of breath and movement from dancers and community participants to create a living “ghost dance” — a shared pulse that fills the architecture with rhythm, memory and life.
Blending immersive sound, shadow, projection and participation, Breathe invites audiences into an intimate encounter with the body, with place, and with one another.
Touring Overview
Breathe is a flexible, site-responsive installation designed for heritage buildings, galleries, public spaces and festivals. Each presentation evolves in dialogue with the host site and local communities.
Format:
- Immersive sound and light installation
- One-to-one participatory encounters
- Workshops and community engagement
- Site-responsive adaptation
Suitable for:
- Heritage and historic buildings
- Galleries and arts venues
- Festivals and public programmes
- Community and participatory arts contexts
About the Work
Originally opened in 1889, Jacobs Wells Baths once offered spaces for health, movement and gathering for Bristol communities. In Breathe, the building becomes active again — animated by sound, breath and collective presence.
The installation combines recordings from professional dancers, local participants and one-to-one encounters gathered internationally. Breathing, movement and exhaustion become part of a layered sonic composition experienced through surround sound, shifting light and projected shadows.
As audiences move through the space, they become part of a collective rhythm — sensing the architecture itself breathing around them.
Alongside the installation, participants can contribute their own breath and movement through workshops and intimate recording sessions, allowing each presentation to grow through local participation.
Why Present It
Breathe offers venues and audiences a deeply atmospheric and emotionally resonant experience that combines heritage, participation and contemporary immersive practice.
The project is highly adaptable and can respond to a wide range of spaces — from historic buildings to galleries and public sites — while creating meaningful opportunities for local engagement and co-creation.
At its heart, Breathe asks audiences to slow down, listen closely and reconnect through shared human presence.
Get Involved
We are currently exploring future presentations and touring opportunities for Breathe.
Venues and partners can host:
- Full installation presentations
- Site-responsive adaptations
- Workshops and participatory programmes
- Community co-creation activity
For partnership and touring enquiries, please get in touch.