Hundreds of people turned out for the spectacular - if somewhat bizarre - Strike the Light event in Little Hulton on Saturday night.
The negative symbols, made of flammable bamboo and paper, were placed by a 40ft bonfire and symbolically torched to mark the end of a 14-month art project aimed at boosting community pride.
A huge sculpture of a pit head was installed at the site as a backdrop to the bonfire, to reflect the area's mining history.
Spectators were greeted by a light show, and a short film featuring residents talking about Little Hulton were projected on to a screen.
Thumping music blared out as the message to "burn the negatives" was flashed up for all to see.
Local primary-school children then took part in a procession of lanterns before a marching band struck up for the crowd.
The event, at Peel Park, began at 7pm. It was part of an outreach project which has seen artists from the Lowry centre working with local people.
The musical score was written by 11-18 year olds from the area and residents helped Walk the Plank - an internationally-acclaimed Salford-based arts organisation - create the bonfire. The short film was screen by Creative Industry in Salford (CRIIS).
Project manager Graeme Urlwin said: "The burning of objects created by local residents is symbolic of burning everything that is negative in their lives, looking to the future and what people would want Little Hulton to be like."
Andy Farrell, The Lowry's Head of Community & Education, said: "First and foremost we are interested in helping to build communities through creativity.
"By going out to Salford communities and finding out what they are passionate about, we can respond to their interests and encourage social participation through creative activity."
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Why ?
Burn the negatives,they should have set Salford alight.
What a watse of money. There are people in Salford who can't afford to eat and ye they spend money on something like this.
Here in LA the police don't pussyfoot around. If there a gangs hanging around they get a stern talking to and are searched and split up. They don't give lip to the police either.
It's surprising that the fire brigade weren't on hand so the delightful Salfordd residents could stone the fire crews as seems to be popular with them.
God is blue and Giles you both seem to have a very limited view of Salford, have you ever been??????
Giles, I beg to differ!
I worked in Carson City near LA for a year; I lived Huntingdon for that period of time too. Crime levels were shocking!
There are parts of South Central where the police refuse to patrol due to gang violence.
Salford may its issues, but violent crimes and gang related activity are no where near the levels of all the districts from central LA to Anaheim!
I have been to salford and it is full of hee yar scallies and scrotes however what makes the most noticable difference there is they are proud of it