Today, Factory International opens its new arts venue, Aviva Studios, a vast and versatile cultural center in Manchester U.K., which hopes to anchor the city as a premier global arts destination. The cutting-edge venue, overseen by the same team behind the Manchester International Festival (MIF), will host year-round programming featuring renowned artists from around the globe.
The venue, designed by the Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA), is adaptable for large-scale exhibitions and performances. The interior and exterior space will provide space for pop-up performances, markets, and events. Additionally, Aviva plans to host over 80 concerts annually—amplifying Manchester’s vibrant music scene.
The first show to take place at the landmark venue was “You, Me and the Balloons,” an exhibition by Yayoi Kusama created especially for the space, that took place as part of Manchester International Festival 2023. Kicking off Aviva’s official lineup is “Free Your Mind,” an immersive performance inspired by The Matrix franchise, which will incorporate hip-hop choreography and grand set designs in a reimagining of the beloved sci-fi epic. The performance, written by Sabrina Mahfouz and directed by Danny Boyle, premieres today and runs until November 5th.
After “Free Your Mind,” Aviva will host “The Welcome,” a nine-day program of circus, art, fashion, and music developed by Manchester residents. The event will run from November 11th to 19th, showcasing the extensive possibilities of the huge art space.
John McGrath, artistic director and chief executive of Factory International, commented, “At every stage in imagining and building this extraordinary space, we have focussed on creating new possibilities—for artists to let their imaginations fly, for citizens of Manchester and the world to meet and dream, and for people of all ages and backgrounds to build skills and gain experience. It is truly a place where we can invent tomorrow together.”
The massive cultural investment—the largest since Tate Modern’s inauguration in 2000—received support from both the U.K. Government and Arts Council England. Additionally, the center received substantial backing from the Manchester City Council.
from Artsy News https://ift.tt/kBWD86g
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