Made In Translation: The Crafts Research Group at The Portico Library

About

The Portico Library was born out of a group of Manchester’s Enlightenment thinkers’ desires to pool resources and share the knowledge, adventures and opportunities offered by their books and journals. Today, we continue their tradition of fulfilling the printed word’s potential, bringing the contents of the library’s collection to all the people of Manchester and beyond. Through the innovative interpretations of our resident artists, writers and researchers, our exhibitions and events offer contemporary perspectives on historic concerns: from journeys of scientific discovery to chronicles of social change; from details of the natural world to reflections on the human condition, and from colonialism’s conflicts to revolutions in technology, industry and education. Manchester Metropolitan’s newly combined Arts and Humanities Faculty have embraced the invitation to explore The Portico Library’s collection, working collaboratively across disciplines for the last twelve months to develop new works that respond to the library’s Zochonis Charitable Trust funded project 'Reading & Writing Non-Fiction'. 

Made In Translation aims to introduce visitors to new ways of experiencing books and reading, through object, image, performance and text. Featuring a number of the region's leading artists and writers creating experimental work in a variety of media, Made In Translation introduces new commissions and innovative research, and is open free to the public at The Portico Library from 27th April to 3rd June 2017. A new book edited by Jonathan Hitchen will accompany the exhibition, detailing the contributors' research and featuring colour photos, artists' profiles and introductions from project leader Alice Kettle, curator James Moss and writer Matthew Carlin.

Alongside 'Made In Translation', The Portico Library and MMU's previous publication, 'Many-Splendoured Thing', will also be launched with the opening of the exhibition. 'Many-Splendoured Thing' records award-winning Brazilian artists Gê Orthof and Raphael Fonseca's 2016 residency and offers further insight into the library's programme and history. For more on any of these projects visit http://www.theportico.org.uk/whats-on/gallery/artists-in-residence