Kent Construction Expo 2015

It was an early start Wednesday morning as we attended the business networking breakfast run by Kent Construction Focus Group and listened to an inspiring talk by Wayne Hemmingway on creative led regeneration.

He spoke about the first housing development he worked on in Gateshead, Tyne & Wear with Taylor Wimpey: The layout of the Wimpey/Hemingway collaboration is essentially a section of mixed terrace houses with private gardens grouped around courtyards that are interlinked with pedestrian walkways behind. They have communal facilities: sandpits, barbecues, a playground, ping pong tables and bicycle parking.

He spoke about being brave and challenging – so here are his top ten regeneration tips.

We've moved! After a couple of years working alongside MidKent College and madcreative at The Enterprise Foundation (it was fab guys!) we've decided to stay in Maidstone Town Centre. The Business Terrace is located in King Street, Maidstone, a new business hub run by Maidstone Borough Council. So far, so good. It's great to be in an office space surrounded by other creatives, freelancers and techy types. If you fancy a visit, get in touch. We have an office but there's also hotdesking space and plenty of business advice if you are starting out.

Last week we held a Creative seminar to explore ‘Regeneration and the Role of Public Art’.  It was a well attended day with a mix of architects, planners, council officers and of course artists. Our speakers opened our minds with the possibilities of what an artist can bring to the table, how each project brings it’s own challenges and the biggest question of all: “What next?”.

While we work on the last question, we’d like to share artist and guest blogger, Claire Manning’s thoughts from the day. Claire has taken part in the Continued Professional Development sessions held by Figure Ground and volunteered with Jane Pitt and Caitlin Heffernan, two of the artists commissioned for IN-SITE.

A creative seminar linked to the IN-SITE project, arranged by FrancisKnight at the University of Kent, Chatham Historic Dockyard, 8th July 2015

I found the discussion about the role the artist has to offer in public projects particularly intriguing. Possibilities:

• Recorder (1)
• Researcher (1)
• Collaborator (1)
• ‘What if’, expansive open thinker (1)
• Producer, directing the work of others (1)
• An enabler, building bridges and understanding (1)
• One who forces a pause, provoking debate amongst those who think they already have a solution (2)
• Collaborative provocateur, not to get people’s backs up, but to help others think creatively (4)
• Can be an independent, self-appointed provoker working without permission to suggest an alternative agenda (2)
• One who plays – is curious – and invites others to join in the game (3)
• Maker of work that matters to others (1)
• Creator, making work that might not be liked by all, but that gets people talking (4)
• Creating art that changes people’s perceptions of themselves, where the effect on one individual is as important as the effect on general public (5)

Source:
1 Tom Littlewood, Ginkgo Projects
2 David Cotterrell, Artist
3 Jo Thomas, Artist and part of Figure Ground
4 Alice Waller, Medway Council
5 Lance Phillips, Physical Folk

Wednesday, 8 July 10.00am – 4.30pm

FREE event

Engineering Workshop, School of Fine Art, University of Kent, Chatham Historic Dockyard, ME4 4TY

We have really enjoyed putting this event together and it promises to be an informative and inspiring day with excellent speakers and presentations.

The event will explore the development of art in the public realm and the value that it can bring to developments and regeneration schemes.

Artist David Cotterrell brings with him a wealth of knowledge of working in the public realm and shares the platform with Senior Partner Neil Mattinson from LDA Design, a multi disciplinary consultancy; landscape and architect led practice, currently working on the Chatham Placemaking Masterplan.  Finally Sam Wilkinson, Director of Insite Arts presents the role of artists and art consultant and the benefits of culture led regeneration. 

Hosted by Medway Council, Regeneration and the Role of Public Art is aimed at developers, planners, local authorities, architects and artists and the event is free!!

Book your free place here