If you fancy seeing a bit of free public art, head along to the Manchester Arndale Centre some time in the next three weeks to see the MCR Made Icons. These are massive balloons, suspended from the shopping centre’s ceilings, depicting various famous Mancunians.
All the designs are by Mancunian illustrator Stanley Chow. He’s done quite a lot of work, and indeed until very recently the social media profile picture for Andy Burnham, now our prime minister, was one of his designs.
We didn’t go to the Arndale specifically to see the MCR Made Icons. We actually went in because our ten-year-old really likes eating at Five Guys, and happened to spot them. The majority of the balloons are in the ‘new’ bit with the posher shops and – crucially for balloons – higher ceilings. We first spotted the Emmeline Pankhurst balloon on the way in, and then got to see the likes of Marcus Rashford, the Gallagher brothers, Lemn Sissay and Alan Turing. The balloons in the older part of the Arndale are rather smaller.
If you’re wondering why there have been several Manchester-based blog posts in recent weeks, it’s because I was in Manchester three times last month; our trips to IWM North, Mackie Mayor and the Manchester Museum were all separate trips.
Accessibility
MCR Made Icons is on show every day at the Manchester Arndale until the 23rd October, and it’s free to get in, like the rest of the shopping centre is. The shopping centre is fully accessible, with lifts, disabled toilets and a changing places toilet. You can park your car there, but we tend to get the tram in from Hollinwood as Exchange Square tram stop is right outside.
