Submitted by harwood on Fri, 2006-11-10 11:17.
Hi To All at Media Shed
Thanks so much for the conversation we had earlier. As I mentioned on
the phone the contact I have had with you and the discovery of Media
Shed has been a breath of fresh air. Let me outline in more detail what
I would like to propose to do if you and Media Shed would want to
become involved.
As you know I have been selected to produce a commissioned work for the
Queensway Estate, which in some way will lift the area and capture the
imagination of local residents. My work as an artist is firmly based in
installation and sculpture which often encourages the audience to
interact with it on an architectural level. I have worked with
community projects in the past, although this project will hopefully
integrate some of my own ideas as a practicing sculptor and
installation artist. I realise if the work is to become a success and
meaningful to the Estate's residents, it must somehow involve, intrigue
or speak to them in some way.
I do not live in Southend, which I think we both agree could definitely
be a hindrance, but more importantly, when I have travelled there on
many occasions I have no real base or connection with the Estate, which
is worrying. I do have some knowledge of the area as I was brought up
in Southend, and something that I really remember is Southend's
extensive Pirate Radio network and experimental music scene. When I
discovered your organisation on the internet I was ecstatic, as it
seems you have real and credible links with the local community in the
area, and that your projects are very much in tune with some of the
ideas I have been thinking about.
So far my project has targeted the laundry room area, within the 4
tower blocks. This is a room where residents hang their washing and
they store their stuff. It is an ideal communal space as it is
exclusively accessible for residents on each floor. Its an indoor/
outdoor space (like a SHED) and every floor has one. I propose to make
a type of 'parasite object' which will incorporate light and become a
radio for transmissions from the MEDIA SHED BASE STATION your 'Skint
Stream Radio' if you think that is appropriate. If this were to go
ahead then I would need lots of support with the technical side of the
project as I have NO knowledge of Radio broadcasting, which I know you
have. I have lots of product design skills, which I utilise as a
sculptor so I would understand how to fabricate and mass produce a
fascia or surround, which will become a type of user friendly
sculpture. I am hoping that your expertise will be able to problem
solve an easy and effective way of incorporating a radio within the
final product. Of course I am really interested in developing concepts
and ideas for the parasite object with the community and the residents.
More importantly, I see Media Shed's role as the think tank for ways
to develop events and happenings for a live transmission (of course we
can work together to give the project a name and an identity). There is
a budget for the project and an opportunity for your members to really
become involved and be credited for their work.
I would like to propose a meeting, so that I can talk to everyone about
the project and listen to some of Media Sheds responses and ideas. I am
now aware that there are strong ideas and views within the area, which
I feel very positive about, and that there are people already doing
some really creative community work. I realise that many of their
views may have fallen on deaf ears, but I guess the project has real
potential to rectify this position and push some of them forward. What
I think is interesting is that you have mentioned that whatever I
replace will be competing with the lost community centre, which has
been closed down. Lets use this as the starting point to develop some
ideas and move forward.
What do you think?
