Ten opening exhibitions, new commissions indoors and out, and the remarkable achievements of MUMA (McInnes Usher McKnight Architects).
The Whitworth Gallery returns on the 14th February, promising a Valentine weekend’s worth of art, music, talks, walks, performance, literature, family fun and a fire and light show.
Among the highlights, the new landscape wing (housing a brand new commission by leading Chinese artist, Cai Guo-Qiang) while throughout the day, curators will give talks in the galleries, while Northern Brass stage a concert for kids.
Cornelia Parker discusses the work she has created for the opening, Video Jam and the Hallé Youth Choir put on performances, and the author Jeanette Winterson looks at art.
In the evening, a fire and light show followed by a night of performance art (from Nico Vascellari in collaboration with the French musician, Ghédalia Tazartès), and an after party led by legendary Manchester DJ, Dave Haslam.
The celebrations continue all day on Sunday 15 February with more talks, including one by the architects, MUMA, a tour from landscape designer, Sarah Price, art walks, a family-focused art picnic and the premiere of Whitworth Letters, a new, immersive work by Manchester Camerata’s composer-in-residence, Laura Bowler.
The Gallery has been closed for over a year while it underwent a £15 million transformation.The expansion of the gallery, which was founded in 1889, will provide around 400 sq. m of new exhibition space.
A new café, study centre and education rooms, as well as a wing overlooking the adjoining Whitworth Park in South Manchester and an “art garden”, will double the institution’s public space.
Building work began in 2012 after funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund among others was secured.
You can see the Full schedule of events HERE
