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Mysterious coins have been appearing all around Manchester and here’s why
Have you come across any of these coins?
Mancunians may have come across some unusual coins placed on benches, bus stops and ledges across the city and here’s why.
Artist Ryan Gander has placed 200,000 coins across the city for his latest art project called The Find as part of Manchester International Arts Festival running from June 29th – July 16th.
“My mum has this saying, ‘there’s no pockets in the shroud’,” Gander told the Manchester Evening News.
“She’s like some middle class suburban Buddhist, and means I’m not going to get any inheritance, probably — but she’s got a point.”
He continued: “We understand the world by stuff. Things, articles, objects and we always want more, more, more.
“Actually, we should be understanding the world by events and conversations and moments — things that we can take with us.”
The strange coins are valueless in monetary terms and can not be spent but contain a lot of value in the sense that they provoke thought. Finders can be keepers of the coins if they wish, or they can put them back for someone else to find.
They display messages which offer a choice on either side of each coin; together or solo, action or pause, and speak or listen.
Around 100 volunteers have been out around the city placing the coins in places for people to find them including benches, at bus stops, and on window ledges.
But some honest Mancunians have been handing the coins back to community support officers and at Central Library. Gander says: “People are so honest.
“Very honest Mancunians. It’s quite weird. There are very few things in the world that are a gift, so to give a gift to a third of the population of a city, it’s a remarkable thing.
“People take different things from it. I’ve met people already who carry all three in their pockets and say they’re going to carry them for life and use them.”
He added: “There are two audiences really, there is the audience that know about the festival, and about my work on the hunt to get collectable art works, but then theres’ the 99% who are people who don’t know they are engaging with contemporary art.”
Gander, who is originally from Chester was awarded an OBE for his services to contemporary art back in 2017.
He says he’s quite aware that contemporary art can still be quite an ‘incredibly elitist’ space and so that’s where his work comes in.
He said: “People engage with the coins, by chance, outside of the institution of art, and by the time that they’re engaged and they’re doing it, it’s only then that they realise it’s contemporary art, and the stigma disappears. It’s accessible, and it’s a good way in. People have their guard down.”
Gander is hoping his display of public contemporary art will help people make changes in their lives rather than make a habit of repetition, saying: “We automatically make decisions, but based on habit.
“We should be asking ourselves questions every day, even if we know the answers, because the world changes all around us, and the answers change. So most of our answers are wrong.
“The coins are a reminder that we can learn and explore and live a little bit differently, but mostly just break the repetition that we all live by.
“Walk the long way to work, eat something different for lunch, talk to someone you’ve never spoken to. I’m at fault with all those things too.”
Adding: “But I know when I make decisions which are out of habit and out of character, it mega mega mega enriches my life.”
The Find is currently taking place across the city as part of Manchester International Arts Festival. Have you found any of Ryan Gander’s coins?
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New makers market with everything from dog accessories to house plants and jewellery coming to Manchester
Get this one in your diary!
A brand new makers market is coming to Manchester this late May Bank Holiday weekend, with something for everyone.
Taking place at New Jackson – a new urban neighbourhood located at the southern gateway to the city – Manchester Made Market will be held on Saturday May 25th and Sunday May 26th.
Over the two days you’ll be able to browse a selection of local artisanal traders and small businesses from across the region.
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There’ll be everything, from food produce, homewares, crafts and creations to dog accessories, house plants, jewellery and homemade soap.
Among the traders will be Manchester and Cheshire-based florist and floral artists Dot & Flora, graphic artist Ablott MCR selling music prints, HGT with crochet fashion and homeware designs, and artisan candlemakers Leaves and Prickles.
Elsewhere, there will be essential oils and other treatments from Grounded Wellness, permanent jewellery from Sealed Links, and desserts from Cake With Heart.
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There will be plenty of street food options to keep you topped up while you shop, including The Wild Grill, Food Sorcery, Salvi’s and new favourite Medlock Canteen.
Neighbourhood Brew will be supplying some great drinks as well.
Supported by Renaker, the market is free, but you can upgrade your experience with a limited, free VIP ticket with access to the dedicated bar area.
What's On
Manchester Flower Festival returns with tributes to Sarah Harding and Caroline Aherne
It’s taking place later this month!
The legendary Manchester Flower Festival is returning to our city later this month, complete with pop-ups, installations and tributes to some local icons.
Taking place over the late May Bank Holiday, the event will be headlined by its ‘Floral Trail’.
This year’s theme is Manchester Icons, with a host of names past and present being honoured in flower form, including the late comedy legend Caroline Aherne, pop star Sarah Harding and suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst.
The Vain Photography / Manchester Flower Festival
Collaborating with Manchester illustrator Stanley Chow, floral designer Liv Woodward will create a portrait of Caroline Aherne at the Floral Marquee on New Cathedral Street, using sustainably sourced plants and flowers.
Girls Aloud star Sarah Harding will be remembered in a ‘tribute garden’, sponsored by the AO Arena, with visitors able to donate to the Sarah Harding Breast Cancer Appeal by scanning the QR code at the display.
The homage to Pankhurst has been created by female-led Decordia, featuring an ornate wooden Manchester Town Hall-inspired planter with sashes, posters and colourful icons, alongside a wicker figure of the suffragette herself.
This can be found at the corner of Cross Street and King Street, adorned with purple, green and white plants – the colours of the suffragette movement.
The Vain Photography / Manchester Flower Festival
Other local legends will also be honoured with their own installations, including Happy Mondays vocalist Rowetta and iconic Manchester brewery Boddingtons .
Fringe events will be taking place too, at locations including Northern Quarter art shop Fred Aldous, The Bridgewater Hall, the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel and the National Trust’s Castlefield Viaduct.
Selfridges Exchange Square, El Gato Negro, Tast Catala, Franco Manca, Grand Pacific Manchester and Urban Playground will also be taking part, with alfresco dining, festival-related dishes and cocktails.
The Vain Photography / Manchester Flower Festival
Now in its seventh year, the Flower Festival, which is put together by Manchester City Centre Business Improvement District, attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year, with live entertainment, workshops, and arts and crafts markets.
It all happens from May 24th to May 27th – head over to the website HERE to find more information.
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