The book is in the library, and the library is in the book.

Building of Spines happens over 7 days in a library, where a book is researched, written, edited, printed, and bound by hand. 

The book’s narrative is shaped by answers people in the library give to a set of questions.

Each day, the questions change, shifting every morning and afternoon through the Dewey Decimal System – from 900: History and Geography to 000: Computer Science and General Works.

Building of Spines explores the politics that emerge when histories blur – when identities overlap, contradict, or resist definition. It reflects on our discomfort with ambiguity, our assumptions about one another, and our drive to organise and contain knowledge. It asks what makes a good book, which stories matter, and what parts of our lives we choose – or refuse – to share.

One book is made in each location, and on the final day handed over to the library it was made in to be entered into their collection. 

There is a Building of spines in:

• Manchester Central library
• Leeds Central Library
• Haydock Library, St Helens
• Art House Middleton (Alt version, 700: Arts & Recreation category only)
• Longsight Library, Manchester
• Chester Storyhouse
• Gateshead Central Library 
• Stockton-on-Tees Central Library 
• Oldham Central Library. 

Soon to be in Chemnitz Central Library, Germany as part of European City of Culture 2025. 

Originally developed & presented with Quarantine & Manchester City Libraries.