The idea
Blackwater House will disappear. For 5 generations, a witness to the joys & sorrows of life. Before it goes, we will scour vacant flats in Regeneration Site A, capturing images of the ‘human stain’ & archiving it in audio & video. Showcasing this on the market, we seek to record conversations with fellow members of the community & explore how where we are becomes a part of us and how we become a part of where we are. Collaborating with Yuon Kibaik, an acclaimed Korean artist with whom Boris has worked in the past on a regeneration scheme in Seoul. Production funded by the Arts Council England & Art foundation Korea, Boris’ equipment rental through the generosity of the community itself via Spacehive.
What we'll deliver
- A legacy for Blackwater house.
- An art show located in the market and accessible to all without cost.
- A 're-creation' of a flat & its relationship with the street through audio & video – morning, afternoon & night.
- An opportunity to record local people's memories, anecdotes and emotions for a permanent archive.
- In the fog of change it provides a site for the community to pause, come together and share experiences.
- Workshops for local kids with the artists to open a discussion of art and its social function.
Why it's a great idea
More than any other feature of a city – the market street registers the changes in a community; a ‘river of life’ constantly evolving, constantly changing yet rarely is its influence registered. Five generations of children have been raised in Blackwater House & elsewhere in Site A & the market has been the ‘soundtrack’ of their lives.
In the 90’s when ‘Bubbles’ barrow was the only fishmonger on Church Street, an auction took place outside the ‘Lord High Admiral’ every Saturday – “not 20, not 15, no not 10 but yes, just £5 for this lovely…” - the call still rings in the ears.
Too late to preserve that, but though on the brink of change, it is not too late to archive what the market is today before it is lost.
By nature, it will reflect our diverse community, without an agenda & by placing it in the market, accessible to all, with no charges, long opening hours & all ages adding to the story we are telling – we feel it will make a real contribution to a sense of community & identity.
Steps to get it done
- Oct. ‘21– May '22 - fundraising phase.
- July '22 will see the first stage of research and shortlisting of possible venues on the market for the show.
- Aug '22 work in the selected flats begins.
- Aug/Sept '22 launch with community centres & social media, local publicity & word of mouth.
- Sept '22 launch with schools.
- Sept '22 editing of video material and still photography takes place.
- Autumn ‘22 the show will open in the market with workshops for schools.
- Late Autumn ‘22 a website is built of the material collected during the show.
- Late Autumn '22 funded by an Art Foundation in Seoul the show will move to South Korea & the website will launch.
- Current Status ‘21– the fundraising phase; Church Street Regeneration is already supportive of the project and by January ‘22 when all the funding is in place we will finalise the schedule for access to the vacated flats.
- July '22 will see the first stage of research and shortlisting of possible venues on the market for the show.
- Aug '22 will be largely consumed by our work in the selected flats and we will liaise with schools and community centres and launch the campaign for participation in the show through social media, local publicity and word of mouth.
- Sept '22 editing of video material and still photography takes place.
- Sept/Oct '22 the show will open in the market – community engagement through workshops and schools and walk in members of the community.
- Autumn '22 a website is built of the material collected during the show.
- Late Autumn ‘22 funded by an Art Foundation in Seoul the show will move to South Korea & the website will launch.
