It is not easy planning and delivery a piece of public art that will grow on a public square! Er... Who said it was? Well, definitely not us because the challenge is what motivates us!
Photo by Nazir Tanbouli
ABOUT THE PROJECT
London has a growing problem with the large quantities of free newspapers that clutter our streets and public transport. Tube passengers alone discard approximately nine-and-a-half tonnes of freesheet newspapers a day.
This is a lot of paper. What do about it?
On March 8th, sculptor and installation artist Sumer Erek unveiled a (5 m3) ‘House’ in Gillett Square, London - constructed out of newspapers brought by members of the public. Visitors inserted their own observations, secrets, etc into the newspapers and add them to the structure. In this way, the public connects with the Newspaper House; their action is a contribution to the building of a public project.
The Newspaper House as an interactive public artwork is an opportunity to invite the public to participate and actually be involved in creating an artwork.
The theme of the project is “the city is our home” and as well as being an art work in its own right - exploring a variety of themes around the concept of "house" and the materiality of paper, the notion of waste and value - the project also encourages people to think about protecting and improving the environment, so that we can enjoy a cleaner, healthier world, together with a sense of belonging to their neighbourhood, and a wish of all to make it a pleasant place to live in.
Seeing the large crowds that manifested themselves around the coming of the Sultan's Elephant to Westminster in May 2006, Olafur Eliasson's Sun in the Tate Modern in 2004, or participated in the making and burning of Antony Gormley's Waste Man in 2006, we expect that a public-art project that combines art with social interaction and topical issues, backed by a strong concept, tight press campaign and support from partners, will spark instant positive response.
Moving-image Documentation of the Project is directed by Gillian McIver, in association with Rozy Sarkis and Christina Zaris.
Photography of the Project is directed by Gillian McIver, with photographic contributions by photographers Emra Islek, Tuba Altunkaya, Ruth Gardiner, Ramon Andarias, George Torode.
Who I'd like to meet: We want Londoners, travellers, young people, families, artists and everyone to come to Gillett Square March 3 - 7th, bringing the newspapers you pick-up, collect, don't throw away, clutter your house with, to contribute to the building of the house!
Hi CreativeCity, We put new pics up in our photo section! Here are the ones of us at the Indy Music Awards. Click on the pic to see the entire album. Leave us your comments.
Our next gig is at the famous Barfly in Camden, London on Saturday June 7th. Tickets online at ticketweb. co. uk
Hope you're having fun....are you? Love and Peace ;) x
