Like many of the collaborations we have developed, including our ongoing residency exchange with La Escocesa in Barcelona, this residency has come about through some former Islington Mill tenants who have recently moved to Ibiza.
Taking the people out of the building, we’re hoping to better understand if the ‘spirit’ of the mill is translatable to another context. A former cotton spinning mill on the edges of Manchester city centre, the building now houses an artist-run B&B, independent art school, venue, gallery and 50+ studios occupied by a range of creative practices. Those of us who work there have been inclined to believe that it is the energy and ideas of the people who meet at the building that make it an inspiring place to be and to work. This residency is the first of a number of projects which will test our assumptions, later this year we will swap venues with Flux Factory in New York for a 1 month exchange.
Ibiza has a long history of people dropping out and escaping to the sun in various waves since the 1960’s and 70’s and has become home to ‘opt outs’ of all generations, it is this which gives it a spirit this isn’t represented by the vomit drenched image of ‘Ibiza Uncovered’ etc. We hope to go out and discover some of the deeper history and energy of the island and work with the people we meet to create a programme of events, make new work and in doing this explore what Islington Mill and its approach to doing things may have to offer in a totally different place.
More to follow here soon!
