Saturday, 21 April 2007
The Quantocks @ Night Dressed By Milika Muritu
Monday, 16 April 2007
Investigating Other Art U Need Projects
Yesterday we went on the bus trip organised by Kate Clayton, from Commissions East.
Myself, Neil and Greg, Jim, Jenny, Nick and Fran were met by Kate and a nice family from Southend.
It was a bit of a mystery tour - all we knew was that we were going to Canvey and Southend to see the Art U Need projects there, after that I didn't know much else. We were greeted by two people with big personalities in Canvey, one was a lady who had lived on the island all her life and she was going to be our tour guide, as it happens she was very informative and also knew the names of every plant there was on Canvey. They certainly found a good woman here - she even let us in her house and told some of her own history. Her late husband was an artist and she had put out all his paintings - which was very interesting to us artists.
The other person was the Manager for Dr. Feelgood, yes another big personality. He told us of his boyhood in Canvey - the time when boys really lived. At the back of his house was the estuary, him and his friends (over looked by his mum on the sea wall) would go out there and build sand banks, then watch the tide knock it down. They would play pirates and even had a little rowing boat which they would row over to Hadleigh Castle. As they got older they got bolder and put an engine on the back of the boat and started jettying round to Southend Pier and probably as far as they could go, real 'Swallow and Amazon' style.
By the time we got to having our picnic we were really hungry and thirsty. Kate put on a wonderful spread - very Mama Italian 'al' fresco.' We had continental meats and other luxuries.Strawberries, sparkly wine - or was it Champagne Kate? Sorry - wow - if it was.
We sat down and had the most enjoyable time, having some very interesting conversations, all feeling very relaxed. This was definitely a hi-light of the day.We then made our way to Southed, some of us slept - after a long walk, hot sunshine, a picnic rounded off nicely with some fizzy wine - can you blame us!
So when we reached Southend we were probably not up to doing much, we had a look in the Camera-Obscura provided by Focal Point. This was amazing! Then after this we went inside the Quantock flats, from the outside you could see the 'Streams' in fact this refers to the long twisting stream of perspex that was in every drying room in all four blocks of flats - from the very top room to the bottom.You can see the Quantock flats in all its glory at night time, if you get to Southend, driving down Victoria Avenue with the station on your left hand side, you get to the roundabout and turn a sharp left. This will take you down Queensway. Just after Chichester Road the first street on your right you will see The Quantocks - You must go there when it gets dark and when the perspex is illuminated by the lights in the drying rooms. We were brought into the flat and could appreciate the perspex because of the daylight shining through it.
It puts these flats on the map, they were even mentioned in a design magazine.
http://www.canveyguides.com/
http://www.queenswaystreams.org.uk/
Canvey Guides: LAUNCHhttp:
www.southend.gov.uk/content.asp?content=8096
http://www.canveyguides.com/
http://www.queenswaystreams.org.uk/
Canvey Guides: LAUNCHhttp:
www.southend.gov.uk/content.asp?content=8096
Thought:- These projects were all about an Outdoor Revolution - well I must say we felt like we were brought back in time, we were Victorian explorers investigating Canvey and then having a glorius picnic - we all thoroughly enjoyed it. To get specific we had exercise, communication and got off our armchairs and looked at a familiar landscape with new eyes. L.J. Horner
Labels: Art U Need, Lisa Horner
# posted by Lisa : 01:29
Monday, 19 March 2007
Hippy Crowd Spotted Hugging Trees In Northlands Park
Strange goings on were spotted down at Northlands Park on Sunday 11th March. A few witnesses said that the peculiar scenes happened around Noon and thereafter, that a crowd had gathered in wonderment at the scenario.
Well known arts lover Vin Harrop and MP Angela Smith were amongst the 'hippy' crowd who were hugging trees. The ring leader was said to be visiting artist Andrea Mason. Plenty of children joined in, and one person in the know said that 'a man rather high up in Commissions East, and Angela Smiths husband' were amongst these tree hugging hippies. Apparently it's all down to 'Art U Need Needs U' too much fun was being had over the last few months with 'Poetry Slams' and 'Parkour,' 'Guerilla Gigs' and 'Painting on the Green.' It must have brought on a very liberal atmosphere for things to have gone this far!
Whatever next!
Well apparently on Mothering Sunday a lady was spotted running around giving away free art! And leaving art in all sorts of places.
Next week on Sunday 25th March there is going to be a 'Mass Picnic,' and everyone has been invited, just turn up at noon with your picnic at Northlands Park - and erm 'have fun!'
That's what it's all about folks!
Labels: Art U Need, Basildon, Lisa Horner
# posted by Lisa : 12:04
Tuesday, 6 March 2007
BOB & ROBERTA SMITH RADIO SHOW
BOB & ROBERTA SMITH
RADIO SHOW
MAKE YOUR
OWN DAMN
MUSIC
EVERY TUESDAY EVENING at 9:00pm
on RESONANCE FM 104.4
Londons First Radio Art Station
*time differences will apply, East Coast USA 4:00pm, West
Coast USA 1:00pm, Continent 10:00pm
Labels: Art U Need
# posted by Lisa : 10:41
Sunday, 25 February 2007
Parkour - The Art of Movement
www.worldwidejam.tv
click on photos to enlarge
click on photos to enlarge
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------Art U Needs
Parkour Free-Running Workshops
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On Saturday 24th February Parkour exponent 'World Wide Jam' led a group of teenagers from Felmore shops through the 'hood to Northlands Park, instructing them in this exciting urban sport and philosophy.
Parkour is the art of movement where participants, otherwise known as 'traceurs', use objects within their urban surroundings to create explosive and fluid movement: this is done by running, jumping, vaulting and swinging. (information from Art U Need Needs U diary)
Lisa: Tell me about yourselves
World Wide Jam: I'm Brad Moss I've been practising Parkour about two and half years now and practice every day, we're part of a group called World Wide Jam www.worldwidejam.tv. We're basically aiming to promote parkour through workshops and any kind of media events that come up,and to teach it properly and safely.
W W J: I'm Brad Wendes www.bradwendes.com I've been practising Parkour for two and a half/three years, and again do training of some sort everyday, wether it's parkour training, gymnastics or just going down the gym doing some fitness work.
I'm really hoping to promote Parkour, and by teaching the kids properly they shouldn't have to go through the same trouble we had to go through.
We had to learn it ourselves through videos, we didn't have any dialogue and basically threw ourselves around. We can teach them how to do it without hurting themselves.
L: Have you personally been involved in commercials?
WWJ: Yes, recently we've done Orange Business, Avante, Devono.
L: What do the kids get out of it?
WWJ: It really helps the kids develop some confidence, a massive sense a achievement. It gives kids, especially in poorer areas, some sort of drive, some sort of focus and keeps them off the street and not causing trouble, it's going to stop them from becoming the bad sort of kid that is stereotyped.
I think that sport and recreation is the way of combating that anti-social behaviour.
L: And there's a lot of obese children who are in front of computers a lot these days.......
WWJ: It gets them out and active, obesity levels are rising and there is no need for that if kids are going to be sorting out their diet and getting some sort of activity, that's all they need.
Getting involved in Parkour you do learn the correct way of training your body and we do help kids with correct nutrition as well.
WWJ: True Parkour is a discipline, it's a focus to really drive your life towards, I used to skateboard a lot.
Socially we're meeting so many people, travelled to so many places and having many sorts of opportunities through Parkour, and I just want a lot of other people to experience that.
L: What sort of opportunities?
WWJ: Through knowing Brad and getting work, we've done a UK tour for Samsung promoting their new MP3 player, and we're off to Orkney in a few weeks to teach Parkour.
L: So there are opportunities like this for other young people.
WWJ: The World Wide Jam street team which we're part of are promoting Parkour to show people the way we live our lives.
New members, who we think are promoting Parkour effectively, are brought on board to help teach the way.
L: Anything else you want to say?
L: One last question, you're quite local, where do you hold workshops?
WWJ: We've held regular workshops in Kent and Central London and hope to do them in Southend and Chelmsford.
L: So if any body is interested you can contact Brad Wendes at:
Tel: 07919915851
Labels: Art U Need, Basildon
# posted by Lisa : 15:07
Monday, 15 January 2007
What's on with Art U Need
Click to enlarge
I'm really sad to say that somehow blogger has lost all the other things that I have covered on Art U Need. So to see all of what we have done since January go to:- www.thebasildonblog.blogspot.com
Labels: Art U Need, Basildon
# posted by Lisa : 10:51
Sunday, 7 January 2007
My Rant at Speakers Corner
A rainy day,
kept people away.
We may have been few,
but we had a point of view.
We put the world to rights,
then went for a bite!
The 'Speakers Corner' was the first of a series of events that are going to be held at Northlands Park Neighbourhood by 'Art U Need Needs U'.
I was the first one at the play area at Tyefields and we waited for about five minutes for Andrea and crew to turn up. I was lucky I had my umbrella!
The first thing that happened was them filming me having my rant, I really wasn't sure what I was going to rant about until the night before.
kept people away.
We may have been few,
but we had a point of view.
We put the world to rights,
then went for a bite!
The 'Speakers Corner' was the first of a series of events that are going to be held at Northlands Park Neighbourhood by 'Art U Need Needs U'.
I was the first one at the play area at Tyefields and we waited for about five minutes for Andrea and crew to turn up. I was lucky I had my umbrella!
The first thing that happened was them filming me having my rant, I really wasn't sure what I was going to rant about until the night before.
After my rant we all went back to Andrea's camper van and carried on our discussion.
There we were, the five of us in a camper van on the verge of Tyefields, Northlands park, getting very enthusiastic about our point of view, we debated about war, religion, global warming and more. Putting the world to rights and generally feeling a sense of unity as we mostly agreed with what each other said.
We finished the afternoon off nicely in a local transport cafe, Andrea and friends tucking into sausage, egg and baked beans, and me with my cup of tea.
There we were, the five of us in a camper van on the verge of Tyefields, Northlands park, getting very enthusiastic about our point of view, we debated about war, religion, global warming and more. Putting the world to rights and generally feeling a sense of unity as we mostly agreed with what each other said.
We finished the afternoon off nicely in a local transport cafe, Andrea and friends tucking into sausage, egg and baked beans, and me with my cup of tea.
See embarrassing pictures of me having my rant at Andrea's blog page (I'm not really that fat I had a video camera under my coat! Also every time I click on this an advert for 'Big Speakers!' comes on)
and to add my embarrassment I'm on moving pictures at Andreas 'myspace'.
Photograph taken by Andrea Mason
See photographs of the 'Walking Circle' at:http://thebasildonblog.blogspot.com/2007/01/walking-circle.html
Labels: Art U Need, Basildon, Lisa Horner
# posted by Lisa : 13:31
Saturday, 16 December 2006
Andrea Mason
If you recognise this then you're probably a resident of'The Northland Park Neighbourhood', maybe you go there to walk your dog, or to hang out with your friends.
I bet when you go there you don't see many people.
Well that's all about to change, because Andrea Mason and friends are going to make your park a lot more interesting from January to March '07.
Who is this lady? You might ask, well she is a creative artist, and for months has been planning with several other groups of people, some entertaining, community- building happenings.
For more ideas of what all this is about see the website below.
I bet when you go there you don't see many people.
Well that's all about to change, because Andrea Mason and friends are going to make your park a lot more interesting from January to March '07.
Who is this lady? You might ask, well she is a creative artist, and for months has been planning with several other groups of people, some entertaining, community- building happenings.
For more ideas of what all this is about see the website below.
I asked Andrea some questions:-
Have you always been involved in the arts? Or did you have a different or more ordinairy job before?
Always been an artist.
I have done some 'Mac' jobs to keep me going - I was a lifeguard for Southwark Council for 5 year (part-time).
You've got an MA in Creative Writing, can you tell me a bit more about what you have written?
Some short stories. I have a novel ongoing.
Also, the work of the type your doing now, what other things like this have you done before?
I worked collaboratively with artist Philippe Bradshaw as Andrea + Philippe until 1999. Our projects were long term, often outdoors. Also we appropriated commercial outlets/tourism ideas using vending machines to sell art, creating faux estate agents/a touring estate agents in a caravan/souvenirs etc.
Tell me about the literary salons you have done e.g. 'The Girly One'.
'The Girly One' was my second literary salon. In 2005 I set up 'King Street Rocks'. A literary salon with an arts twist. The Salon is an ongoing project.
Do you lead a double life? Are you also a mum with kids?
I lead a terribly monastic life. Work whilst kids at school. Then yes I'm a single mum the rest of the time. Very little social life! It's a difficult mix - to be an artist/writer + parent.
I try to make my work viable to my circumstances. e.g. I will be bringing the kids along to all the NPN events.
What motivates you - what makes you want to get out there and do these outgoing things?
I want to change the world!! I think I was a pioneer in a former life. I want to facilitate that people lead the best life they possibly can. There's so much fabulousness out there.
Does it lead back to your childhood? Were U one who would get up and have something to say and get things going?
I had a very strong conviction early on that art - in the broad sense (I am passionate about literature) was the only way forward. I am a "fantastic realist". i.e I first think "What?" and then I work out "How?"
Tell me more about this project 'Art U Need', how much do you believe in it and what do you think of Bob and Roberta Smith?
I believe in it 200%. Bob and Roberta Smith is fantastic. He raises awareness to issues + he is humourous + colourful in his approach + outlook. Humour/comedy inevitably carries a message and is a very effective tool.
Have you met any nice/interesting people from Basildon that you want to mention?
Tony Guyon has been great. You.
And any other things you want to say, please say.
Get the diary, take a look, and get out there! Art U Need Needs U!
Labels: Art U Need, Basildon
# posted by Lisa : 05:43
Monday, 11 December 2006
Art U Need needs U - the details
Art U Need artist Andrea Mason gave out 2,000 free diaries to local residents at the Northlands Park Neighbourhood Christmas Bazaar at Felmores End, Basildon, on Friday 8th December.
Each diary includes a calendar of events organised over the next three months, with space for individual poems, prose or drawing.
Art U Need is a programme of commissions galvanising communities across the Thames Gateway region into action to regenerate neglected open spaces.
Thames Gateway South Essex Partnerships, through Investing in Communities (IiC) programme has initiated the project, which is funded by the East of England Development Agency and Arts Council England, East and managed by visual arts agency Commissions East.
IiC is based on an understanding of the importance of cultural activities in transforming and enhancing a sense of place, community identity and long term liveability. Five Art U Need artists have been appointed:Andrea Mason working in Basildon, Lucy Harrison at Canvey Heights, Castle Point; Hayley Newman in Rochford; Milika Muritu on the Queensway Estate in Southend; and Jane Wilbraham at Purfleet Thurrock.
Art U Need is curated by the artist Bob & Roberta Smith see www.bobandrobertasmith.co.uk. An internationally acclaimed artist based in London, his work is both deadly serious and extremely playful. He often creates campaigns that provoke a reaction from the public, asking them questions about the world they live in and the relevance of art within it.
There are still some diaries you can pick up in the Northlands Park Centre
Labels: Art U Need, Basildon
# posted by Lisa : 11:53
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