Humanity Hallows Issue 5 Out Now
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By Ellie Louise Danson

An inspirational project has come to the Merseyway Shopping Centre in Stockport for the first time and you can get involved. As part of the International SICK! Festival, the public art installation piece ‘Before I Die’ is inviting people to reflect on life and death by sharing their aspirations on big blackboards outside Primark.

‘Before I Die’ was created by Taiwanese-American artist Candy Chang who, after losing someone she loved, channelled her grief and depression into this project to try and find some consolation. Candy told us, “It’s been one of the greatest experiences of my life to see this little experiment grow into a global project. It’s all thanks to passionate people who want to make a space in their community to restore perspective and share more with one another.

“The SICK! Festival has done a wonderful job with the ‘Before I Die’ installations in Manchester. The cube-like structure is very striking and sculptural. I have enjoyed reading people’s responses from afar.”

From this initial idea, the project has grown and become hugely popular, having already travelled to over 70 countries, including Iraq, China, Brazil and South Africa revealing the similarities and differences in the aspirations of communities across the globe.

Councillor Kate Butler, Executive Member for Economy and Regeneration at Stockport Council, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for residents to be part of a world famous public art project. Our town is changing and I’d encourage residents to get involved and share their hopes and dreams for the future.

“This is just one of several events and projects that will be running in Stockport this year helping to put our town on the map as a place to visit.”

The 2017 SICK! Festival explores themes such as belonging and identity, trauma and well-being. This exhibition is just one of many events being run across Greater Manchester during March, and the ‘Before I Die’ project can also be found on Oxford Road and in St Helens. CEO and Artistic Director of Sick! Festival, Helen Medland said,“The move to Manchester was essential as the city offers exciting venues who want to promote challenging and thought provoking works. World class universities, extensive charity and community organisations, a local government leading the way in meeting societal needs and a population that we believe embraces the openness and inclusion that SICK! festival represents.”

Jacqui Wood from Arc Centre, Stockport added: “I feel that it was really important for Stockport to be a part of SICK! Festival as it is a peripheral town and the majority of events are held in Central Manchester. It has been really exciting to see people using art as a point of discussion for mental health in an ordinary public space.”

Callum Simister who works in Stockport also praised the exhibition: “I think it’s great that Stockport has been chosen as one of the locations for the festival. I’ve seen so many people stopping to look at the project and it seems such a positive piece for the community to get involved with.”

The festival is running around Manchester and Stockport until the end of March. You can find out more at the SICK! Festival website.