Manifesta purposely strives to keep its distance from what are often seen as the dominant centres of artistic production, instead seeking fresh and fertile terrain for the mapping of a new cultural topography.
Haifeng Ni, CN
Ni Haifeng, Para-Production, 2008-2012 © Manifesta 9 / Kristof Vrancken.
This installation by the Chinese artist Ni Haifeng consisted of several tons of discarded fabric trimmings that originated from Chinese factories in Beijing, all sewn together into a single, massive piece. Visitors could use one of several sewing machines to add a piece of textile to the piece. The project referred to reuse and reproduction within our global economy and challenged consumption and the endless mutability and instability of the capitalist system.