On 7 November, over 50 individuals gathered from different disciplines – artists, politicians, residents, developers and community organisers to discuss how development can build a common sense of belonging, and what needs to change. It was convened as part of the Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair, and was hosted by its Chair, Matt Bell. This document, collated by Futurecity reports on a debate about the ways that culture, class and identity collide in the context of regeneration.
Divided into six parts, the summary reflects on:
1. Keynote Speech on ‘Culture, Identity and Social Change’ (Cllr Danny Thorpe, Leader of Royal Borough of Greenwich) 2. ‘Personal Identities’ 3. ‘How Do You Create a Shared Identity?’ 4. ‘The Changing Role of Culture’ – ‘The best art is the art communities create themselves’, with case studies: Tommy Flowers Pub in Poplar and Radio Thamesmead 5. ‘Can We Talk About Class?’– “We need a revolution of representation that gives opportunity of voice through training, amplification and access in order to alter ownership and power about those who make choices about regeneration” 6. Closing Provocations ‘Britain’s Changing: Are We?
A key topic of conversation was, ‘How do you create a shared identity?’ The delegates collectively identified four key approaches:
Embed from the Beginning – Instead of seeing culture as an afterthought put it at the forefront of design development from the beginning. At Greenwich Peninsula we were able to plant cultural interventions in the DNA of the development, integrating into major landscape projects like the Tide, infrastructure such as Optic Cloak, commercial spaces like the Now Gallery and meanwhile interventions such as the Jetty.
Don’t Over Prescribe – Keeping buildings that allow for multiple identities is crucial. Developers should allow the identity and uses of spaces to evolve with the growing community instead of prescribing them beforehand. At Great Kneighton in Cambridge, Futurecity commissioned artist Jeanne Van Heeswijk and Britt Jurgensen to give voice to new and existing residence in the design of community spaces and projects across the development.
Shared Identity or Sharing Identities? – A shared identity is less import than a place where different identities feel ownership and validity, where plural identities can be shared. At Wembley Park our Culture and Placemaking Strategy outlined approaches that would respond to the needs of new & existing residents, and the international audiences, celebrating diversity while maintaining an integrated identity. This approach has seen Wembley Park create unique multi-cultural events and spaces like the Yellow, Light Up the Night Festival and outdoor screenings.
Collective Experiences and Universal Stories – Don’t be scared of heritage, both living and from the past, as the stories of a place can be common points for people to engage with in different ways. Our commission for Carnaby Street saw artist Lucy Harrison reveal hidden stories behind the music heritage of the Carnaby area.
Launch of Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair Seminar Notes
29/11/2019
In November 2019, Futurecity partnered with Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair.
On 7 November, over 50 individuals gathered from different disciplines – artists, politicians, residents, developers and community organisers to discuss how development can build a common sense of belonging, and what needs to change. It was convened as part of the Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair, and was hosted by its Chair, Matt Bell. This document, collated by Futurecity reports on a debate about the ways that culture, class and identity collide in the context of regeneration.
Divided into six parts, the summary reflects on:
1. Keynote Speech on ‘Culture, Identity and Social Change’ (Cllr Danny Thorpe, Leader of Royal Borough of Greenwich)
2. ‘Personal Identities’
3. ‘How Do You Create a Shared Identity?’
4. ‘The Changing Role of Culture’ – ‘The best art is the art communities create themselves’, with case studies: Tommy Flowers Pub in Poplar and Radio Thamesmead
5. ‘Can We Talk About Class?’ – “We need a revolution of representation that gives opportunity of voice through training, amplification and access in order to alter ownership and power about those who make choices about regeneration”
6. Closing Provocations ‘Britain’s Changing: Are We?
A key topic of conversation was, ‘How do you create a shared identity?’ The delegates collectively identified four key approaches:
Embed from the Beginning – Instead of seeing culture as an afterthought put it at the forefront of design development from the beginning. At Greenwich Peninsula we were able to plant cultural interventions in the DNA of the development, integrating into major landscape projects like the Tide, infrastructure such as Optic Cloak, commercial spaces like the Now Gallery and meanwhile interventions such as the Jetty.
Don’t Over Prescribe – Keeping buildings that allow for multiple identities is crucial. Developers should allow the identity and uses of spaces to evolve with the growing community instead of prescribing them beforehand. At Great Kneighton in Cambridge, Futurecity commissioned artist Jeanne Van Heeswijk and Britt Jurgensen to give voice to new and existing residence in the design of community spaces and projects across the development.
Shared Identity or Sharing Identities? – A shared identity is less import than a place where different identities feel ownership and validity, where plural identities can be shared. At Wembley Park our Culture and Placemaking Strategy outlined approaches that would respond to the needs of new & existing residents, and the international audiences, celebrating diversity while maintaining an integrated identity. This approach has seen Wembley Park create unique multi-cultural events and spaces like the Yellow, Light Up the Night Festival and outdoor screenings.
Collective Experiences and Universal Stories – Don’t be scared of heritage, both living and from the past, as the stories of a place can be common points for people to engage with in different ways. Our commission for Carnaby Street saw artist Lucy Harrison reveal hidden stories behind the music heritage of the Carnaby area.