30 people have backed CONCRETE ISLAND!8 years ago
Whoop, 30 people have pledged since fundraising began!
Artist Charlie Warde returns JG Ballard's classic novel Concrete Island to its site of origin in this durational art piece and exhibition.
Sorry this project was unsuccessful, we did not reach our fundraising goal.
Support artist Charlie Warde as he lives beneath the Westway Flyover for 7 days, re-creating the urban dislocation experienced by the protagonist of Ballard’s Concrete Island. During his stay on the “island”, Charlie will create artworks inspired by the novel and his surroundings focusing on themes of connectivity, isolation and transformation within contemporary urban life, and the ultimate taming of the environment. In 1973 JG Ballard wrote a story about a man on his way home from work whose car careers of the newly built Westway Flyover, an epic concrete motorway raised above the houses and buildings divided either side. He crashes down into an undeveloped site becoming stranded, a modern urban Robinson Crusoe. With meagre supplies and bizarre encounters he exerts his will over the confines of his dominion in a transgressive and transformative act of self-discovery.
What we'll deliver:
Why it's a great idea:
Charlie will create artworks inspired by the novel and his surroundings, raising the profile of an important piece of local cultural heritage which is still relevant today. There will be the possibility to sign up for workshops leading up to the exhibition including a creative writing courses. The project will transform the site from its current dangerous state, aiding its progress towards a safe environment for development by the grounds staff of Kensington & Chelsea.
Steps to get it done:
We are offering “Help” in return for yours. Those who support this project will receive a special edition artwork by Charlie Warde entitled “Help”. A donation of £25 will be exchanged for a limited edition numbered A5 print (one of 150). For £50, a signed and numbered A4 print will be provided (one of 150). You can also sign up for workshops leading up to the exhibition including a creative writing courses…..
Gallery
Location Kensington and Chelsea
About the space
Bay 20, undeveloped wasteland under the A40
Council
Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Journey
Follow this project You are following this project for updates to your inbox
Whoop, 30 people have pledged since fundraising began!
Whoop, 10 people have pledged since fundraising began!
Bringing together Kensington and Chelsea's best ideas for local improvement
Looking to improve health, economic opportunity and cultural diversity in Kensington & Chelsea area.
How will the money be spent?Target (inc. fees) £13,832
Costs Breakdown
This shows how money raised for the project will be spent. These costs have been confirmed by the project's Delivery Manager and verified.
Target (inc. fees) £13,832
Our Volunteer List
Want to help?
Do you have stuff or skills to contribute to this project? Use this tool to offer something to the project creator.
VolunteerAs an artist, my practise is informed by Modernist urban planning and architecture. I question whether the utopian ideas behind the postwar period match up to their pescribed vision. I chart the decline of idealism, the cornerstone to construct a better world, and laments its passing. I trace this through the period’s buildings and urban infrastructure, the lived in framework of our neglected concrete heritage – the much maligned strata of London’s evolving skyline.
I was artist in residence in Ernö Goldfinger’s iconic Trellick Tower and 2 Willow Road. My work can be found in the V&A Museum and private collections around the world.
Project Owner: 0dBc2K!DX2 K03z2!6MBr The Project Owner takes legal responsibility for receiving and spending the funds raised and ensuring the project is delivered.
Find me at:
