So, Juan, tell us about the concept behind Football City, Art United.
“The concept revolves around establishing a connection between art and football. A few years back, I had the pleasure of meeting the incredible Hans-Ulrich [Obrist], a well-known figure in the art world, along with Josh [Willdigg], who was collaborating with him. I’ve always enjoyed visiting the Whitworth Gallery and various other galleries across the UK. Upon meeting Hans-Ulrich, I discovered his passion for football, and he proposed the idea of merging these two worlds, which, in my opinion, haven’t been sufficiently intertwined in history. After many discussions and calls, we’re here today, connecting players with artists. We’ve assembled a team of 11 footballers and 11 artists, each aiming to express their creativity in the best possible way. It’s been an exciting learning experience for me; although it’s a departure from my usual work, I’m thrilled with the outcome and the exhibition.”
The lineup features quite an eclectic mix of footballers, including some former Reds and players from around the globe, doesn’t it?
“Absolutely! We have some former Reds like Shinji Kagawa, who collaborated on an amazing manga with a Japanese artist, and of course Eric Cantona. When I think about artistry on the pitch, he stands out as one of the finest. His style of play and everything he brought to the game was distinctive and exceptional. He was very enthusiastic about joining the project, and I’m proud to feature him in the exhibition. It’s a pleasure to experience this for the first time.”
And what about the mask designed by Ella Toone? That’s a fascinating piece as well…
“Ella is fantastic. From our initial discussions, she was incredibly enthusiastic about participating. Her energy is infectious, and it’s been wonderful to witness her enjoyment throughout the entire process.”
