How to Turn the World by Hand was a year-long research project between Arrow Factory, Beijing, PiST///, Istanbul and Collective, involving discussion focused around trading spaces, audiences and goods throughout the year. The three spaces shared similar locations, in shop-fronts on busy city centre streets, as well as programmes dedicated to experimental practice and investigating their context. Unexpected operations and outcomes were bound to arise, questioning the expectations of, and negotiations within a contemporary art space.
As part of How to Turn the World by Hand, Arrow Factory "shangzai'd" Collective with their Mobile Bazaar and we incorporated the Feral Trade Cafe by Kate Rich, focus groups Manufacturing Authenticity by Fiona Jardine and a programme of weekly markets. The programme actively provided a space for interaction, debate and bargaining in the gallery.
Later in 2011 PiST/// travelled to Beijing to create a project in Arrow Factory, and similarly Collective will arrange a project that develops the theme of investment at PiST///. The swapping of art spaces was meant to enact a deeper and more spontaneous process of exchange between art spaces as well as elicit new relationships to the surrounding environments in which they are situated. It also playfully acknowledges the shared line of work, or trade, as frontsmen of independent art spaces.
Read the How to Turn the World by Hand publication here
Read about more about How to Turn the World by Hand in the February–July 2011 publication
How to Turn the World by Hand was a year-long international research project between Collective, Edinburgh, PiST/// Istanbul and Arrow Factory, Beijing. It involved a three phase project including an exhibition exchange, events and a discussion programme investigating trade. How to Turn the World by Hand also included exhibitions by Fiona Jardine, Sun Xun and James N Hutchinson at Collective.
This is an archived programme entry.
