Walking Backwards is a collaboration between Quarantine and visual artists Rania Ho and Wang Wei. It aims to develop a new long-term project shared between Manchester and Beijing.

The story so far

Quarantine visited China in 2005 and 2006, supported by the British Council’s Artist Links Programme. When we met Rania Ho and Wang Wei, we discovered a shared desire to explore the territory between traditionally different artistic practices, as well as a commitment to engaging with society.

Rania and Wang Wei came to Manchester in April 2007 for a fascinating two weeks. We explored ideas around migration and the post-industrial city, meeting with - among others - a refugee from Burundi, musicians and artists from the Virtual Migrants collective, DJ and writer Dave Haslam, a Blue Badge guide and journalist, the marketing agency responsible for ‘Brand Manchester’ and the Professor of Gambling Studies at Salford University. We held a tea party, went to Morecambe Bay and Belle Vue Greyhound Races and invited a group of people to spend an evening making dumplings with us – a Chinese welcome party.

Future development

We plan to continue this dialogue in a variety of ways. We want to build and maintain a long-term relationship with Rania and Wang Wei, and over time our creative relationship may include the physical exchange of materials, the creation of events in Manchester and/or Beijing and the use of this website as a project space. You can also find out more about Rania Ho and Wang Wei through the following links:

Dancing toasters

Complete Art Experience Project

The Contractors

Support

Walking Backwards is supported by Arts Council England and the British Council.