Wednesday, July 2 marks the inauguration of The Playmaker, a project by Stefano Boeri Architetti, at the opening of the Manchester International Festival 2025.
The initiative, which aims to connect art and football, is developed by Factory International in collaboration with former footballer Juan Mata, curator Hans Ulrich Obrist, and writer/director Josh Willdigg, under the title Football City, Art United.
As part of this context, the footballer chosen to collaborate with Stefano Boeri Architetti is Sandro Mazzola, a legendary figure in Italian football, who has embodied the spirit of the game with his creativity and determination.
Other collaborations between artists, designers, and footballers include: Bàrbara Sánchez-Kane and Jorge Campos; Alvaro Barrington and Raí Vieira; Ryan Gander and Eric Cantona; Keiken and Ella Toone; Rose Wylie and Lotte Wubben-Moy; Suzanne Lacy and Vivianne Miedema.
The installation by Stefano Boeri Architetti is located at Aviva Studios, the venue of Factory International in Manchester — a cultural space dedicated to creativity and large-scale immersive experiences. Open to the public from July 4 to August 24, the installation draws inspiration from the industrial character of the venue, aligning with its aesthetic to create an intense and identity-rich football environment. Positioned as the focal point of the exhibition, the installation stands at the center of 11 other football-themed works, reinforcing its role as the main attraction and engaging visitors in an interactive journey through the iconic roles of the sport.
For more information: https://factoryinternational.org/whats-on/football-city-art-united/