Manchester Ferns

Summary

Diptych. Digital image printed onto Fuji Crystal Archive photographic paper. Mounted onto 2 x aluminum panels with MACTAC PP2011 pressure sensitive mounting film adhesive. Aluminum subframe attached with 3M Very High Bond Tape. Manchester Ferns was commissioned as part of the exhibition Jun Nguyen-Hatsushiba which took place at Manchester Art Gallery 23 Feb - 1 June 2008. Organised by the Kunstmueum Luzern. As part of a larger project called 'Breathing is Free 12,756.3' begun in 2007. The artist planned to run the diameter of the Earth in stages tracking his progress with a wrist-mounted GPS unit. He has visited world cities including Tokyo, Lucerne, Karlsruhe and Ho Chi Minh City. The artist ran a pre-planned route along the canals and streets of Manchester over 92.6km in the first two weeks of December 2007. The read out from his wrist-mounted GPS was used to describe the shape of several fern leaves which were then transferred to a Google Earth image, tinted green on a computer file then transferred to a photographic print. The work represents a view of Manchester from an international artist who has created a plant metaphor for the city's past industrial infrastructre. The artwork captures the city at a specific moment in its history.

Display Label

Manchester Ferns 2008 Jun Nguyen-Hatsushiba Digital prints on paper on aluminum panels Hannah, Curator: So you cycled the route in advance? It’s Manchester’s canal network, isn’t it? Adam, Cycle Courier: Yeah - when Jun came over to do the run, I led him round on my bike and when there was any problem with the route, we just did the closest alternative. Hannah: This work is part of the Breathing is Free project - I think Jun was referring to refugees, who have to run across the world just to take a breath - but how is it breathing on your bike in the city now? Adam: Breathing in the city centre is probably better these days than then. There’s been a lot done to discourage cars in town – mainly constant road works. Commissioned for the artist’s solo exhibition at the gallery. 2008.158.1