Themes and function
We asked people what themes the commissions should take as a starting point and what values it should reflect. We also asked about functions, format and ultimately what feelings it might evoke. What is loud and clear is that it must reflect the community in all its forms – multigenerational and multicultural – and it must support the community to meet, play and form a collective identity.
Where to Start
A lot of current community development in the UK uses ABCD. This stands for Asset Based Community Development and uses what is already in a community as a starting point for development, as opposed to looking for gaps and issues, and starting there. What is interesting in a new community is that the assets are not necessarily tangible like in other places i.e. community centres, established groups and affordable retail.
In Fairfields and Whitehouse the assets are the people who live and work there – we have experienced a level of inclusivity, creativity and curiosity that feels different to other areas. This is a brilliant starting point for a public art commission but also for building a very special community – the two can intertwine and support each other over the coming years.
Join us
Below are the most mentioned words for each category we discussed in the consultation. This will form the basis of the discussion on Monday 10th Oct at Lilly’s Cafe. If you would like to join us either 12-1pm or between 2-4pm then please email emily@quietdownthere.co.uk and we can provide the tea and cake.
What themes should the commission take:
- Community
- Nature
- Family
- Friendship
- History of the area
What values should the piece reflect:
- Something that reflects the new community
- Something which supports well-being through reflection or provoking thought
- Something that reflects the multicultural nature of the community
- Something that reflects the history of the site in order to support current community building
What functions should it have:
- Something that brings the community together – a place to gather
- Somewhere that encourages nature/wildlife back
- Somewhere for people to sit alone or in groups
- Something interactive and/or multisensory (touch/sound/smell)
- Somewhere for performance/a place to play music ie a bandstand that lights up at night
- Something that gives information about the history or biodiversity of the area
- Something that aids wayfinding
What format could it take:
- Something with intergenerational interest – for adults, children, young people and older people
- Something that can change with the seasons
- Something that moves (has moving parts or can be moved from place to place)
- Something that connects the two areas (not necessarily physically)
- Something unique that you can’t replicate at home or indoors
What feelings should it invoke:
- Something soft in contrast to hard edges of development
- Something that creates surprise/joy/unexpected feelings
- Something bold and playful that doesn’t seem too arty
- Something that feels unique to Whitehouse or Fairfields and starts to build identity in the two places
- Something that blends nature with the interests of the community eg dog walking/fitness/drawing
