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museum exhibitions schedule Jul 9, 2025 visibility 19 link 15 artists, 1 gallery

football city, art united transforms manchester's aviva studios into a pitch for creativity

Manchester International Festival 2025 presents "Football City, Art United" at Aviva Studios, a group exhibition co-curated by former footballer Juan Mata, curator Hans Ulrich Obrist, and Josh Willdigg. The show pairs eleven international footballers with artists across media—including Ryan Gander with Eric Cantona, Keiken with Ella Toone, and Suzanne Lacy with Vivianne Miedema and Ali Riley—to explore intersections of sport and contemporary art. Works range from a holographic tribute to Diego Maradona by Jill Mulleady to an interactive installation by Stefano Boeri Architetti with Sandro Mazzola. The exhibition runs through August 24, 2025.

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Football meets art in new Aviva Studios exhibition

Manchester International Festival (MIF) has opened a new exhibition titled 'Football City, Art United' at Aviva Studios, exploring the intersection of football and contemporary art. Co-curated by Hans Ulrich Obrist, Juan Mata, and Josh Willdigg, the show features 11 works pairing artists like Paul Pfeiffer, Philippe Parreno, Ryan Gander, and Rose Wylie with football figures including Eric Cantona, Edgar Davids, Ella Toone, and Lotte Wubben-Moy. Highlights include a sound installation recreating the stadium tunnel experience, a spotlight piece on celebrity isolation, and a documentary on sexism in women's football.