On the occasion of Manchester International Festival 2023 (MIF23), Therme Art, in partnership with Factory International, facilitated a school workshop inspired by Tino Sehgal’s live work This Entry. The session was led by dancer Lizzie Sells and artistic footballer Heaven Rietdijk, both performers from Sehgal’s piece.

Sehgal’s practice centres on the human body, voice, and interaction, guided by precise choreographic instructions. Through his self-described “constructed situations,” he redefines the relationship between artist and viewer, inviting active participation and collective experience as central components of the artwork.

The workshop took place at a local primary school in Manchester, introducing students to an experimental approach to physical learning and creative expression. Drawing from movements inspired by football, cycling, singing, dancing, and instrument playing, participants explored the connections between body, rhythm, and emotion. The session encouraged students to experience the benefits of physical expression, somatic awareness, and mind–body connection in everyday life.

Designed and led by Lizzie Sells, the workshop offered an age-appropriate, dynamic experience that aligned with Key Stage 2 physical education curriculum goals. It encouraged young participants to embrace holistic wellbeing through movement, music, and play — highlighting the value of artistic and physical practices in fostering creativity and balance.

This Entry was co-commissioned by Factory International, Summer Academy Zollverein (Essen), and Therme Art, with support from Therme Group. Therme Art’s presence at MIF23 reflects its commitment to developing artistic experiences that resonate with communities, promote wellbeing, and enrich cultural ecosystems.

This initiative forms part of the wider engagement surrounding the forthcoming Therme Manchester, a landmark wellbeing destination integrating art, nature, and technology. Through workshops and public art programmes such as This Entry, Therme Art continues to build inclusive, participatory experiences that support community wellbeing and cultural vitality.

Therme Manchester will also feature Jeppe Hein’s Today I Feel Like…, first unveiled at Manchester International Festival 2021, a project developed in collaboration with local schools that continues to inspire creative reflection and emotional awareness among young people.