Corrie - the play
We have two pairs of tickets to give away to Corrie, a new stage show based on the soap opera
FIND OUT MOREFree beauty products
Your chance to win a fantastic three-piece 'skin perfector' set worth more than £120.
FIND OUT MOREAspiring entrepreneur?
Chartered Accountants Lucas Reis are offering an hour's free business consultation.
FIND OUT MORE24-hour culture people
Greater Manchester's art scene is being given a little twist this spring, as Islington Mill opens up its five floors to a deluge of international artists for two 24-hour exhibitions. Lee Stansfield has the details of Mill24.
Curators Lois Macdonald, Helen Collett and Anna Beam are three ladies on a mission. They are in charge of showcasing work from up to 60 local and international artists in Mill24 - a series of two unconventional 24-hour exhibitions. And they are doing it in a downtrodden former cotton spinning mill.
Located on James Street in Salford, Islington Mill has been fortunate to escape the rampant flat development in the city. Mill24 will be staged across the building's five floors, taking over more than 50 studios. There will also be performances and displays in the attic and courtyard.
The curating trio are thrilled to have such a setting for their exhibition series. "It's just really diverse and we're really lucky that they've let us use whatever space we want," says Beam. "They've got lots of empty spaces that they would like to see used in interesting ways and that we would like to use in interesting ways."
But with Manchester already having its fair share of galleries to choose from, including Manchester Art Gallery, The Lowry and the Whitworth, is there any need for another place where people can observe art?
Macdonald is quick to emphasise that Islington Mill will not be hosting just another art exhibition. "Everything is different," she claims. "We have a lot more live and performance art compared to your conventional exhibitions."
"The idea is, we want people to come and stay for 24 hours," adds Beam. "And there will be something going on all the time to keep people entertained, but it's structured so that you can also only come for a few hours, if you want."
Mill24 is an ambitious project, to say the least. It aims to create a once-in-a-lifetime experience, making all artwork on display 'limited edition' as, once the day is over, that work will never be experienced in the same way again.
It also aspires to take the excitement of an opening night and stretch that out, while simultaneously condensing an entire exhibition into 24 hours.
Sounds like quite the paradox, but Macdonald explains: "It's like a reaction to the art exhibitions we've seen in Manchester - mainly that they're a lot busier on the preview night than at any other time during the month they are on.
"This is more of a social thing, and we're trying to sort of reflect fast pace living and also escape the white cube aesthetic of most galleries and exhibitions."
For anyone thinking that a 24-hour exhibition could be a bit of a slog, the three curators are quick to assuage any fears, promising an innovative experience, with something always going on. A host of interactive performances and fresh work - such as sound art, video and projection, performance art, live drawings, illustrations, time based media and more - will be on display throughout the day to keep viewers absorbed.
And for those who are in for the long haul, there will be refreshment and respite on offer, with a cafe and a bed and breakfast on site, as well.
With Mill24 boasting thrillingly packed programmes, there promises to be more than one artist to keep an eye out for, not to mention a certain banana room.
"It's hard to pick just one artist," says Collett. "We're looking to create a network for all the artists involved because there are so many of them, and getting people who work in similar methods from all over the country and internationally together will hopefully build relationships for the future and future events."
And the banana room? Collett laughs. "Rachel Maclean is doing a new video based on bananas, so we're going to have a banana-themed room, where we'll be giving out free bananas," she explains.
Artists that the trio have picked out for special attention are Giles Ripler, Rosie Cooper and local musician Edwyn Butler. The latter will present an hour-long performance using a self-playing machine constructed from found object instruments, inspired by a love of Wallace and Gromit.
But Macdonald is keen to point out that the exhibition is more than just a showpiece for established artists. "We're trying to use the event as a platform for budding artists to exhibit their work, as well as using some more familiar names."
With Mill24 evolving into such a massive and complex project, attracting names from all over the globe, it is understandable that there are more than a few challenges that the trio have had to overcome.
"Cash has been the main challenge," says Collett with a sigh. "A big problem with a project like this is that it doesn't benefit the community as such, so it's difficult to get funding.
"But Manchester is really good because you can do it without so much money, and most of the artists are just looking for a place to exhibit their work and aren't too concerned about getting paid."
It has been hard work, but the three ladies have high hopes for the effect Mill24 will have on Manchester's art and culture scene. "The idea is to make Manchester something more interesting, more exciting and 'where it's at' for contemporary art," enthuses Collett. "And also, it brings more artists to the city, and that's the only way to push things forward and get people talking to each other about Manchester."
Mill24 takes place on April 24 and May 29, with entry into the mill being free. On arrival, art lovers will be greeted with a 'survival kit', containing a map of the mill, fruit and water - just another unique facet to what promises to be a one of a kind exhibition series.
