Therme Art participated for the second time in the biennial arts event Manchester International Festival as part of a partnership with Factory International, the organisation who programmes and presents the city-wide festival every other year.

For the 2023 edition, Therme Art and Factory International co-commissioned the work by Tino Sehgal titled This entry, with the support of Therme Group.

MIF23 will return this summer, bringing together artists from across the world to celebrate the city’s diverse and inclusive spirit. This entry, which will debut at the National Football Museum and the Whitworth, is a playful live work that invites skilled individuals from various disciplines – including a footballer, violinist, cyclists and singer/dancer – and creates a platform for creative exchange. 

Tino Sehgal and Hans Ulrich Obrist at the Hildegard von Bingen Wellbeing Culture Symposium, 2022

Sehgal’s work is famous for its use of the human body, voice, and social interaction as primary tools of artistic expression. This entry is the first work of The Trequartista – Art and Football United series. Co-curated by Hans Ulrich Obrist, football icon Juan Mata, and writer and director Josh Willdigg, it offers an immersive and thought-provoking experience that encourages visitors to engage with the artwork in a meaningful and personal way. The series will see eleven teams of footballers and artists work together over two years, culminating in a group show at the 2025 edition of  Manchester International Festival.

The installation, which Sehgal refers to as a “constructed situation,” draws on the artist’s background in political economy and dance, creating a platform that focuses on the subtleties of social encounters and the importance of participation and interaction. Tino Sehgal is an artist of German and Indian descent, based in Berlin. Solo exhibitions works have been displayed at internationally acclaimed galleries such as the Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam; the Institute of Contemporary Arts, London; Museum für Moderne Kunst, Frankfurt; the Guggenheim, New York and the Tate Modern, London. 

Therme Art curates expansive, enduring art projects for Therme Group’s global wellbeing resorts, fostering introspection through artistic expression. At MIF21, Therme Art commissioned the project Today I Feel Like… Manchester by Berlin-based Danish artist Jeppe Hein. The initiative collaborated with educational institutions and local communities in Manchester.

MIF23 will offer a two-week celebration of art, culture, and community from 29 June – 16 July, 2023. The work debuts on 29 June in Manchester at the National Football Museum and will move to the Whitworth on 6 July. We invite you to join us for this unique opportunity to experience the dynamic interplay of artistic expression and social interaction. 

This entry is produced by Factory International for Manchester International Festival, in association with the National Football Museum and the Whitworth, The University of Manchester.

Read more on: The Guardian | BBC | The Art Newspaper | Artlyst

This entry 

Venue: National Football Museum
Dates: 29 June – 5 July
Times: 10 – 5pm 

Venue: The Whitworth
Dates: 7 July – 16 July (excluding 10 July)
Times: 10 – 5pm

Commissioned by Factory International and Therme Art, with the support of Therme Group. Co-Curated by Hans Ulrich Obrist, Juan Mata and Josh Willdigg.