Manchester is hosting’ Football City, Art United’ from Friday 4 July an ambitious group exhibition for MIF25, presenting brand-new artworks created by 11 legendary footballers and 11 contemporary artists. Together, they explore what happens when two worlds known for flair and imagination– both on the pitch and the studio – come together. Juan Mata is one of the ‘fathers’ of the idea.
Football meets art in this major new exhibition of brand-new works made in collaboration between footballers and contemporary artists. “The worlds of football and art can both be beautiful, complicated and powerful; something that is explored through these collaborations,” said Juan. The spanish athlete is one of the curators of the exhibition along with Artistic Director Hans Ulrich Obrist, and curator, writer and filmmaker Josh Willdigg.
Alongside the artworks, a series of video portraits document the creative journey of each pairing, revealing a truly global project – from São Paulo to Los Angeles to Paris. Both playful and progressive, Football City, Art United. expands the worlds of art and football and the cultural contributions both make to our daily lives. ‘Footbal City, Art United’ will be open in Manchester till August 24th.
You can learn more about this initiative and the list of participants like Eric Cantona and Edgar Davids, at the official site of ‘Football City, Art United’.
