Fitting in Antony Gormley's Filter

Antony Gormley's sculpture Filter, newly installed in the glass extension of Manchester Art Gallery Photograph: Christopher Thomond

Manchester Art Gallery is one of five regional galleries in the UK to have an Antony Gormley sculpture on permanent display Photograph: Christopher Thomond

Attaching cables to the weighty work Photograph: Christopher Thomond

The sculpture required two abseilers to safely install it in the building Photograph: Christopher Thomond

The piece is a life-size male figure made of cut steel rings welded together Photograph: Christopher Thomond

Abseilers approach the sculpture near the roof of the building Photograph: Christopher Thomond

Making careful adjustments to Filter, which Gormley says will be "open to light and the elements" Photograph: Christopher Thomond

Gormley describes the work as "a meditation on the relationship between the core of the body and space at large" Photograph: Christopher Thomond

As with much of Gormley's other work, the sculpture is based on the artist's own body Photograph: Christopher Thomond

Precise positioning of the work Photograph: Christopher Thomond

Fine steel cables keep Filter in place, and give the effect of the work suspended, as Gormley puts it, "as if in orbit" Photograph: Christopher Thomond

The sculpture is gradually lifted through the glass interior Photograph: Christopher Thomond