Gathering Downstream - Exploring the Legacy of the Industrial Revolution

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The National Trust is proud to present Gathering Downstream, a specially commissioned exhibition by artist Jen Southern, in partnership with FutureEverything. The artwork, created with the help of machine learning technology, takes the form of five films, that are embedded in a river-like installation inside Quarry Bank’s historic cotton mill. 

Each short film focuses on a different aspect of Quarry Bank’s landscape and its relationship to water, inspired by the River Bollin that lies at the heart of the estate and which brought Samuel Greg (1759-1834) and his cotton mill to Quarry Bank in 1784.

Artist Jen Southern said:

“Quarry Bank is a fascinating place to work with, to find historical relationships between natural systems like waterpower, industrial technologies and human lives, that have shaped our future environments, for better and for worse."

"The work will ask, what can humans and machines learn about the impacts of climate change and ecological emergency from the trees, meadows, moss, rocks and river at Quarry Bank?”

Gathering Downstream is part of the National Trust's Unintended Consequences programme of activity inviting visitors to Quarry Bank to explore the unintended consequences of the industrial revolution in this unique historical landscape.

On May 7th the National Trust and FutureEverything invite visitors for a special opening weekend event with artist talks and guided walks, meadow planting activities and interactive games about climate change and sustainability with the University of Manchester.