Le bleu du ciel 12, rue des fantasques 69001 Lyon France
Curated by Gilles Verneret, the biennale takes the theme of 'Identity' as its focus and a full colour catalogue (Éditions Silvana Editoriale, Milan 2008) will be published to accompany the event. Other artists include Balthasar Burkhard, Raymond Depardon, Stanislas Amand, Martin Kollar, Rip Hopkins, Martin Parr and Beat Streuli.
THE BREATHING FACTORY critically addresses the role and representation of labour and global labour practices in Ireland's newly industrialised landscape as manifest in manufacturing and technology. Global industrial practices are characterised by ‘fleeting alliances’ (O’Riain 2000); transient spaces as capital moves when and as required. In such an ephemeral and global context, the project focuses specifically upon the Hewlett-Packard Manufacturing and Technology Campus, part of a cluster formation of multinational technology complexes, in Leixlip in the east of Ireland. Following nine months of negotiation regarding access and completed over a 20 month period, the work is the result of a practice-led postgraduate research project incorporating ethnographic practices in its undertaking. The full installation includes photographs, text-based work, digital video and sound archival material in its presentation.