Join us for the launch of Yu-Chen Wang first artist's book, 'The Song of the Machines'. There are short talks by two contributing authors, Jennifer Thatcher and Bob Dickinson, plus a screening of 'The Splash and A Last Drop' (2011), a film by the artist. Also, see the culmination of Wang's ongoing wall collage in the Hayward Gallery's Concrete cafe and bar.

'The Song of the Machines' is an artist's book with a visual narrative that tells quasi-fictional stories about the artist's life and her practice. It includes a critical essay by Jennifer Thatcher, a short story by Bob Dickinson, a poem by Rudyard Kipling, creative texts by Nicolas de Oliveira / Nicola Oxley, Sophia Crilly and Georgia Korossi, and a letter by Chelsea Pettitt. Published by Chinese Arts Centre, Manchester, and supported by Arts Council England, the book will be on sale in the Hayward Gallery shop during the afternoon.

Created in conjunction with Wang's residence at the Chinese Arts Centre, 'The Splash and A Last Drop' is an artist's film about her fictional story of experimenting with the creation of 'a last drop' in order to refill the pools at Victoria Baths, Manchester so that the water will never dry up again. Running time: 15 minutes.