Aviva Studios, a new arts venue in Manchester, has unveiled its inaugural exhibition featuring the captivating polka dot art of acclaimed Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. The venue, built on the site of the former Granada TV studios, has been in the works for several years and exceeded its original budget by £100 million, causing a delay of four years. Nevertheless, it is being hailed as the largest national cultural project since London’s Tate Modern opened its doors in 2000.
Although the construction of Aviva Studios is still ongoing, the Kusama exhibition and other events for the Manchester International Festival, which commenced last week, are being showcased as a “preview” ahead of the official opening in October. The organizers are banking on Kusama’s monumental and whimsical creations, which have garnered immense popularity worldwide, to make an immediate impact on visitors.
Celebrated artist Yayoi Kusama, currently 94 years of age, has achieved immense recognition in the last decade, attracting over five million visitors to her exhibitions worldwide. Her artistic creations fetch the highest prices among all living female artists. Within the expansive warehouse-like area of Aviva Studios, Kusama’s captivating artwork occupies the space, offering room for art installations or performances that can captivate up to 5,000 spectators.
John McGrath, the artistic director and chief executive of Aviva Studios, expressed his delight at welcoming visitors to the venue, praising the progress made by the builders. He described the current exhibition as a joyous occasion, with the warehouse transformed into a space showcasing extraordinary art. In addition to the expansive warehouse, the venue also features a traditional theater with a seating capacity of 1,600 or 2,000 standing spectators.
Unfortunately, the opening celebrations faced a setback when Janelle Monae, the scheduled performer, had to cancel due to scheduling conflicts. However, Grammy-winning singer Angelique Kidjo will now be the first star to grace the venue’s stage on Tuesday.
McGrath emphasized that Aviva Studios is truly unique, offering a scale and flexibility that is unmatched in London or any other city. The venue aims to position Manchester as a global cultural hub, attracting visitors and enhancing the city’s reputation. City council leader Bev Craig likened the venue’s potential impact to that of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, in terms of its iconic status and the tourism and reputation it could generate.
The project’s vast budget, approximately half of which came from the council with the remainder from the government, has drawn attention. The council managed to recoup around £35 million through a sponsorship deal with insurance giant Aviva, although the use of a corporate name for the venue generated mixed opinions. Bev Craig clarified that the funds allocated to Aviva Studios did not come from the council’s budget for day-to-day services, but rather from the capital projects budget. She emphasized the long-term vision of investing in cultural programs and projects that will contribute to the growth of the city.
According to venue estimates, Aviva Studios is expected to generate or support 1,500 job opportunities and contribute £1.1 billion to the economy over the course of the next ten years.
However, it will need to win over the residents of Manchester to demonstrate its value. Joshi Herrmann, founder and editor of the Manchester newsletter The Mill, noted that the venue must become an integral part of the city’s cultural fabric. While some individuals question the allocation of such a significant amount of funds to a single project, others simply seek clarity regarding the venue’s purpose and expected impact.
The official opening in October promises an exciting spectacle as director Danny Boyle stages a live rendition of the iconic 1999 film, The Matrix, combining dance, music, and visual effects.
