CUBE

I popped into this museum a couple of weeks ago, as I’d never visited before and it had been recommended to me by several friends.
Said friends told me that the museum was free so I walked in and began to wander around the current exhibition, ‘Alan Fletcher: fifty years of graphic work (and play)’. This comprehensive exhibition includes the British graphic designer’s original sketches, posters, objects and archive footage spanning Fletcher’s work from his student days at the RCA to the playful and more personal work he created after leaving Pentagram in 1992.
I had a little look around the exhibition, which seemed really interesting, even to me, who has no idea whatsoever about design. However, I was then stopped by a member of staff who told me it was £4 to view the exhibits (£3.50 for students). He didn’t mind when I told him I wasn’t *that* interested in this guy’s work, and the friendly man gave me several sheets of A4 paper telling me about Fletcher’s work to take home with me.
Anyway, from what I’ve seen, I do like this museum, and I think I’ll be back in April to have a look at the Manchester Society of Architects Design Awards exhibition.

In my dreams, I sprint round Central Park, pole vault over the Empire State building and bungee jump from the Brooklyn Bridge!
Alas, the closest I’ll ever come to free-​running around New York, London or Barcelona in real life is visiting Cube. A Manchester institution, it’s a contemporary gallery /​museum that’s dedicated to the urban environment. I’m not talking about detailed plans of new buildings either but regular exhibitions showing interesting and playful work that straddles visual art, photography, popular culture, film, architecture and design.
Past exhibitions have focused on subjects as eclectic as Japanese love hotels, British architecture and The City As Gymnasium. Endearingly however, the best show to date looks to be the forthcoming Alan Fletcher restrospective. Aptly titled Fifty years of Graphic Work (and Play) it’s a fitting celebration of the respected British graphic designer.

This is a great museum if you’re an architecture buff. The name actually stands for ”Centre for the Urban Built Environment” and the centre aims to educate us on the intention and function of the built up environment around us by way of exhibitions, lectures and special events. I also love the fact that the museum is a member of the ACN (Architecture Centre Network) which helps to provide better quality neighbourhoods, buildings and public spaces across the UK, something I’m passionate about.
I love the space itself, and the fact that it doesn’t limit its exhibits to any one medium — I’ve seen wonderful urban photography exhibitions in here as well as video and music art. It’s very much a youthful refreshing museum experience and the best part is it’s free!

This urban development /​architecture /​design gallery is one of the few places that placated my sensibilities in Manchester without my usual dose of sardonic frowns.
From the Japanese Love Hotel exhibit to the miniature houses show, The Cube was another savior of my otherwise dismal year in Manchester.