This spring, Quarantine presents Building of spines across the north. Beginning earlier this week at Gateshead International Festival of Theatre, we’re undertaking 4 week-long residencies in Gateshead, Chester, Stockton and Oldham, making a book in each location, and so adding 4 new publications to the Building of spines catalogue.
Each Building of spines book uses the Dewey Decimal System to move through a series of questions – the answers, given by people in the library – are shaped by a local writer into a unique text. The structure provokes responses that span the mundane – how did you get here today? – to the specialist – what do you know about insect culture?
What we’re left with is a unique publication in each library, available publicly and permanently in their reference sections.
We’re looking forward to encountering the people of each library, as their voices, stories, knowledge, anecdotes, merge and unite on the page.
Lead artist Kate Daley says ‘The project works in isolation, with each book being produced and available in individual libraries, but for us there’s something particularly interesting about repeating it, doing it in different places, noticing contrasts, similarities.’
As part of GIFT, after her 6 day residency in Gateshead Library, Kate joins Canadian artists Mia + Eric for a lively conversation about working with people to co-create art.
Find us at libraries across the north until June.
DATES
Quarantine present Building of spines at:
Gateshead Central Library for Gateshead International Festival of Theatre
In collaboration with writer Degna Stone
Monday 28 April – Saturday 3 May 2025, times vary, see website
Event: PARTICIPATION – People, Process, Place with Quarantine & MIA + ERIC
Saturday 3 May 12.30–1.30pm
Chester Storyhouse for Chester Literature Festival
In collaboration with writer Claire Beerjeraz
Monday 26 – Saturday 31 May 2025
Oldham Library for Manchester City of Literature’s Festival of Libraries
Monday 2 – Saturday 7 June 2025
ARC – Stockton Arts Centre for Crossing the Tees Book Festival
Monday 16 – Saturday 21 June 2025
Building of spines is supported by the Leche Trust