We’re currently working on something super exciting! ‘Music for the Senses’ is a brand-new, city-wide multi-sensory art trail taking over the city this summer from 7 July – 31 August, and a guitar amnesty, to collect musical instruments for art installations, exhibitions and to donate to grassroots musicians, is now open.
One of the many things that we love about this is that the purpose of the trail is to make sure that it filters down to the grassroots; when the trail is complete the guitars will be auctioned for charity, with monies raised going to grassroots music projects and venues across Greater Manchester via a dedicated music fund managed by charity partner Forever Manchester in collaboration with key music partners in the city.
The majority of the artworks, exhibitions and installations that celebrate Manchester’s music scene will be formed from guitars, and we’re shouting out for the people of Manchester to contribute instruments, whether they be new, old, broken or revered, to become part of the trail.
It’s an absolute fact that Manchester is the place for music, and this summer, while the whole city celebrates a ridiculously good line up of musical talent, Wild in Art (the team behind Bee in the City) will take over the streets with Music for the Senses: an art arrangement for a musical city, in a collaboration with Manchester City Council.
Any guitars donated that are in very good condition or of significant value will be assessed by Rigby Music MCR and donated to a music charity, giving them a second life in the hands of aspiring musicians and the next generation of artists.
All donors will be named and credited as part of the trail, and Manchester people will be able to seek out their own contributions and discover the artworks they have become and enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of people.
At the heart of Music for the Senses is Guitar Street, an interactive installation on a to-be-revealed city centre street by Manchester artist Liam Hopkins, known as Lazerian (Celebration of Polar Bears, Weave). Liam’s artwork will lovingly repurpose 100+ broken guitars, donated by members of the public.
Meanwhile, more than 50 additional unusable guitars will be painted or adorned by professional artists, turning them into individual artworks, and displayed in shop windows and venues around the city. The first artists announced are Hammo and Danielle Rhoda.
Celebrated Manchester musicians will loan precious instruments to display in windows, alongside artworks celebrating the artist.
Guitars can be taken to Manchester’s libraries and venues across the city centre, so if you have a guitar that you would like to donate to this incredible project, then just get involved – you can see a list of drop-off points on the Wild in Art website.
Photo Credit: David Oates Photography
Sundae x
