FACT’s latest exhibitions explore big questions about existence, identity and creativity — but in ways that feel playful, visually striking and genuinely fun to experience. From an interactive journey through the afterlife to an AI-generated film that blurs the line between artist and machine, both shows pull you into immersive worlds that stay with you long after you leave the gallery.
AFTERLIFE by ONLY SLIME
You can’t miss this one as you walk into FACT. The glowing neon purple AFTERLIFE sign hanging above the Foyer Gallery immediately draws you in, setting the tone for what feels like stepping inside a surreal video game world. The mix of deep blacks, vivid pinks and the bold checkered floor makes the whole space feel playful but slightly eerie — like you’ve entered somewhere between reality and simulation.
Created by ONLY SLIME (artists Toby Pfeil and Claudia Cox), AFTERLIFE transforms their 2023 computer-game opera into an interactive installation where visitors actively shape the experience. Using motion tracking and mini-games, you follow characters Axi and Zi as they travel through spiritual and mortal realms searching for meaning and purpose.
What I really enjoyed is how the work quietly questions control. Are we directing the story, or just responding to choices already built into the system? The piece plays with the shifting dynamic between creator, player and avatar, highlighting how digital worlds influence the narratives we build about ourselves.
It’s immersive without feeling overwhelming, thoughtful without being heavy, and visually it’s just a lot of fun to spend time in.
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They’ve Got Your Eyes by Rachel Maclean
There’s a real sense of anticipation before you even step into Rachel Maclean’s exhibition. Outside the gallery, a countdown clock lets you know when the film will begin, displaying the message “We will be re-entering the film in…”. It creates a small shared moment with the rest of the audience as everyone waits for the timer to hit zero.
During the two-minute countdown, I found myself reading about the exhibition’s parallels between today’s boom in AI technology and the Victorian era’s obsession with invention and progress. That comparison instantly sparked my curiosity and made me want to see how the ideas would play out visually.
Inside, the exhibition unfolds across multiple screens, gradually drawing you further into the space as the narrative develops. The film itself is created using AI models trained on Maclean’s own image and archive, creating a strange and fascinating loop where the artist is both author and subject.
Glowing sculptures dripping with slime sit somewhere between scientific experimentation and Celtic folklore, adding to the exhibition’s dreamlike quality. It feels playful on the surface, but there’s an unsettling undertone as it questions who is really shaping creativity in an age increasingly influenced by machines.
As the film progresses, the layout of the gallery naturally encourages you to move further inside the space, almost as if you’re being guided deeper into the story. The pacing works really well, building curiosity before delivering an ending that feels entertaining, slightly surreal and very fitting for the themes explored throughout.
Both exhibitions feel very “FACT” in the best possible way — visually engaging, conceptually interesting and accessible even if you’re not deeply immersed in digital art.
AFTERLIFE invites you to play inside a constructed world, while They’ve Got Your Eyes asks who is actually in control when technology becomes part of the creative process. Together, they create a really compelling conversation about the future of storytelling and identity.
If you’re interested in digital culture, immersive experiences, or just want to see something a bit different in the city right now, these are definitely worth adding to your list.
For more information visit fact.co.uk.