He will be based at the baths until mid-September 2008 creating a temporary work that reflects the completion of Phase 1 of the Restoration of the Baths, after it won the people’s vote in the first series of BBC 2’s TV series of the same name in 2003.
The baths, at Chorlton-on-Medlock in Manchester, were designed as a prestigious baths complex by Manchester's first City Architect, Henry Price, and opened by Manchester Corporation in 1906. They closed in 1993 and local people have been working to save it for public use ever since.
After its Restoration win, the Heritage Lottery Fund earmarked £3 million and the BBC’s Restoration Fund raised nearly £500,000 for the restoration of the Turkish Baths at Victoria Baths. English Heritage has also supported the project.
The funding for this latest project came from Arts Council England North West who recently awarded the baths a grant of £22,000 for arts projects taking place in 2008.
“Ally works with the humblest of materials to create pieces on a monumental scale,” said Alison Kershaw, Arts Coordinator for the Baths. “He has a strong interest in architectural space, its formal qualities and character. He wants his work to leave the lightest of footprints and is keen to soak up the atmosphere and detail of Victoria Baths.”
His work will be completed in time for a visit to Victoria Baths by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Andy Burnham M.P, on September 17.
In the meantime the public may visit Victoria Baths whilst his work is in progress on Sunday September 7 from 12 noon to 4pm, entrance £1 for adults.
The work can also be seen between Thursday September 11 to Sunday September 14, when the baths will be open for Heritage Open Days.
