Creative intervention for Harlow
Roman's programme begins with a number of contemporary art commissions in Harlow titled ‘Art and the new town’ Let us pray for those Now Residing in the Designated Area. The title comes from the beginning of the dedication prayer used when Harlow was created. The projects will be located at Market Square, St Paul's Church and Barnabas Hall and include a temporary gallery space featuring six exhibitions and a programme of public talks and performances to accompany the work.
Roman states that he is “keen to reassess and represent the work of Gibberd as a project driven by romantic imperatives conditioned by the social and economic parameters of its time. The town is now an historical ‘new town’ and provides a rare opportunity to consider a modernist vision as both a living entity and romantic folly. The temporary projects will ask how might it be possible to re-engage with the complexity of this period in order to make new meanings from an archaeology of what was once our future. The projects will also consider how Gibberd's ideal citizen relates to the citizen of Harlow's present and what role he/she has in marrying their own utopias with the masterplanner's grand utopia and within the walls and gardens of his vision.”
Designs by Roman and Diann Bauer are now complete for the temporary installation of a gallery space in Market Square with the anticipation that the adapted gallery will arrive in Harlow by mid October. This venue, St. Paul's Church and its neighbouring Barnabas Hall will act as venues for the programme of events and exhibitions that will take place in November and December 2008. It will include a new film by Amanda Beech filmed at Gibberd House and Bishopsfield, and a public talks programme developed by Essex University with participants including the international artist Bob & Roberta Smith.
Performances by Wayne Lloyd, together with his resulting artwork and comic book, will provide a continuous thread between the different events.
Roman's current work with the preferred developer's design team is resulting in a growing understanding of how future spaces and landscaping can anticipate a rolling programme of temporary visual art commissions as a core aspect of the wider visual arts strategy.
Overall, the work is showing evidence of success. Roman's input is recognised by partners as adding a unique component to the scheme.
It is an exciting approach and is viewed positively. In the coming months, the strength of this work can be used to develop a wider discussion about art in Harlow and the potential generation of resources, including the Percent for Art scheme.
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Image copyright of artist Diann Bauer |
“Harlow was developed in the post-war period as a New Town, based upon innovative master planning and design concepts, with a vast collection of art, public art and sculpture sited around the town. At this critical stage in the town's history, with large-scale regeneration, housing growth and investment plans, the role of the lead artist is to build on this strong sense of place and ensure public art is central to the future of the town.”
Ian Hatton, Senior Regeneration and Policy Manager, Essex County Council
