Bee in the City
Natalie Anglesey revisits the colony of huge bee sculptures adorned with all manner of decorations throughout Manchester City, and discovers how you could be the new owner of a Bee!
Remember it’s your last chance this month to enjoy Bee In The City, Manchester’s spectacular public Art trail, and we’d hate you to miss out as it finishes on 23 September. The various landmark sites in the city house over 100 super-sized 3D Bee sculptures plus 131 little Bee sculptures created by schools, young people and community groups, turning Manchester into a huge, creative adventure trail. You’ll have fun discovering each bee is decorated with its own unique design.
Organised by global public art producer, Wild in Art in partnership with Manchester City Council, the Bee in the City trail will provide family-friendly entertainment for Mancunians and visitors to enjoy. Sally-Ann Wilkinson, Director of Wild in Art, enthuses: “Bee in the City is a celebration of Manchester’s diversity, creativity and culture. Each Bee represents our fantastic city’s many achievements, from its legendary music scene to scientific discoveries and industrial heritage.
“Manchester is such a unique city in many ways, and one of those is its ability to bring people together. As well as a celebration of creativity, the trail is also a celebration of unity. As families and friends take to the streets to complete the trail, I hope people will remember 2018 as the year the Bees came to Manchester!”
Councillor Luthfur Rahman, Executive Member Schools, Culture and Leisure, Manchester City Council, adds: “The Council is delighted to support Bee in the City and would like to congratulate everyone who has taken part and contributed to this extraordinary event. Manchester is known the world over for its innovation and creativity and it’s great to see this in action through Bee in the City.”
Iconic Mancunian designs include a ROCK ’N’ ROLL Bee designed in partnership with Liam Gallagher. Mancunian artist Justin Eagleton returns to 90’s Madchester with Hac ‘BEE’ enda Bee celebrating the legendary nightclub, sponsored by The Printworks. Rowetta, a Hacienda regular, is in our picture. You can also spot a pinafore- wearing Bee honouring Coronation Street’s iconic Hilda Ogden who has been given a BEE make- over as Hilda Bugden, created by artist Lee O’ Brien. The Manchester BID has taken this design under their wings while Lee has also designed the Queen Bee chosen by the Royal Exchange.
Music is at Manchester’s heart and the Bee Live in MCR is signed by A-listers the Rolling Stones, recently wed Ed Sheeran, Gary Barlow and the likes of Billy Joel. I Wanna ‘Bee’ Adored, created by Lesley Hamilton, caught the eye of sponsors Deloitte for her fruity, humorous creation inspired by the Stone Roses’ debut album and is signed by bassist Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield.
Plus Bee Here Now, celebrating Manchester’s music scene as a whole has portraits ranging from Oasis and Joy Division to Herman’s Hermits. SJM Concerts followed suit by commissioning Amy Coney’s 24 Hour Party Bee. While fans of cartoon character Mr Benn (Mr Bee-nn) can see the famous bowler- hatted adventurer sponsored by Factory, the Altrincham-based animation studio.
After the trail ends on September 23 there’s the last chance to see some of the bees indoors in a farewell weekend on 12-14 October at the Velodrome. Then on 17 October over 70 bees will be auctioned off to raise money for The Lord Mayor of Manchester’s We Love MCR Charity, which works to improve the lives and life chances of Manchester people.
Bee in there City 23 July until 23 September | Farewell Weekend 12-14 October