The project will start by selecting four objects of a given museum archive. Through these objects,  a series of explorations of the matter and meanings of running will be developed: as an experience, a capacity, a skill, as a cultural trope. The aim of the project is to suggest a series of provocative ways of thinking about the mundane practice of running through objects within museums and collections. These will be presented in a series of exhibitions, interactive objects, workshops, and tours aimed at the general public. The approach is partly inspired by Grayson Perry’s Tomb of the Unknown Craftsman carried out at the British Museum. 

What objects and collections will the project be interested in?

• Cast of an early human runner.
• The paintings and drawings, centred on the question: ‘Where is the runner in the art museum?’
• The letters and writings of Jeremy Bentham: Few people know that, ‘in order to be refreshed’, Bentham would jog at St James’ Park; he called his exercises ‘pre-prandial circumgyrations’. He also thought treadmills could be used to reform criminals.
• Sir Roger Bannister: Bannister was the first man to run a sub-four minute mile and worked for many years at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery researching (amongst other topics) the connections between neurology and exercise.

Starting with the objects listed above, the project will produce a series of interventions, installations and art works investigating running. These might include:

• ‘Where’s The Runner In the Cultural Institution?’ Game book.
• ‘Tailor-Made For Running Human Assembly Kit’ A 3D printed model kit.
• An unusual treadmill entitled ‘The Topsy-Turvey Time-Travelling Treadmill’.
• ‘Running Heritage Trails’. With accompanying maps and app.
• A ‘Jerry Bentham Happiness App.’

Since at least the 1970s running has become a popular exercise practice. Philosophers, novelists, and others are beginning to explore running in their research. Yet, hitherto, curators, artists and humanities scholars have been slow to explore running as a subject matter or creative approach. Missing is a critical and creative narrative about running. In looking for, and inventing a history of running, this project attempts to address this lacunae and (re)claim running’s place in art and academia. This project can contribute to existing critical discourses in the areas of global health, heritage and human wellbeing.