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Sustainable Design & the Built Environment
Beam
Seven Virtues of Public Space
How the arts in different cultures can inform
and effect the development of public space
Ian Banks
Director of Atoll
Wednesday 21st December 2011
http://publicspaceculture.blogspot.com/http://publicspaceculture.blogspot.com/8/3/2019 Beam 21Dec11
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Ian Banks Background
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Architect: 1986-2011
Key Experience: Chartered Architect with 25 years post-qualification experience including a diverse portfolio of designing and project managing major capital projects andpublic art and architecture collaborations both cultural and commercial.
www.atoll-uk.com
http://www.atoll-uk.com/http://www.atoll-uk.com/8/3/2019 Beam 21Dec11
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Key Experience: Officer involved throughout NW. Helped support key strategic projects, LocalAuthority Arts Officers and regional GftA bids for public realm. Created public art guidebookand public art northwest website and public art funding guidelines with ACE NW forNWDAin 2002.
www.publicartnorthwest.org.uk
ACE NW: 2000-04
http://www.publicartnorthwest.org.uk/http://www.publicartnorthwest.org.uk/8/3/2019 Beam 21Dec11
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Key Experience: Co-Authorin last 6 years of urban design and public realm frameworks
(with Gillespies LLP)forCarlisle, Lancaster and Bradford City Councils; (with Beam) for
Halton, Derby, Craven and Markham Vale Councils; and sole authorof independent public art
strategies forCheshire East and Chester & Cheshire West , Preston, St. Helens and
Burnley Councils.
www.atoll-uk.com
Atoll: 2005-11
http://www.atoll-uk.com/http://www.atoll-uk.com/8/3/2019 Beam 21Dec11
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Public Art Timeline
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There are no real rules or originality in determining the iconic influence ofart in our public
spaces today. Its evolutionary timeline is thousands of years old, and has ultimately been
informed culturally (and in many cases, funded) via the overriding drivers of a particular era.
.....1400BC...200BC.126AD1200...1319.................15041791
Origins
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..1843.1886....1901.. 1927.1930.1931... 1950
Cultural, religious, political, military, commemorative, revolutionary, utopian, regenerative,
celebratory or even media & marketing have all influenced our public art at one time or other.
In some cases, the cycle has even come around full circle.
Influences
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Public Art as Icon in UK
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Festival of Britain focused on hope in rebuilding Britain through good design after the
war. Centred on the South Bank, but also a touring exhibition, it also marked the centenary of the
1851 Great Exhibition. Its icon was the Skylon, created by Hidalgo Moya, Philip Powell and
Felix Samuely andDome of Discovery(all later scrapped by the later Churchill Government).
1951
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National Garden Festivals were part of the cultural regeneration of large areas of derelict
land inpost-industrial Britain during the 80s and early 90s. Five were held in total - one
every two years, each in a different town or city - after the idea was pushed by environment
secretaryMichael Hestletine.
1980
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Polaris by David Mach used 6000 old car tires arranged in the shape of a Polaris submarine
on the South Bank to protest against nuclear arms race. A man disagreed, and tried to burn it
down by lighting petrol but sadly got caught in the flames and later died.
1983
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Percent for Artlegislation was first proposed by,Arts Council of Great Britain in 1988
based on the advice ofRobert Carnworth QCs to enhance the built environment by
encouraging developers to devote a proportion of capital expenditure to the provision of art,
craft or decoration. The debate still rages.
1988
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1994
National Lottery Fundhas injected around2 billion into the arts since inception in 1994.The Millennium Fundalso awarded 200m to 32,000 applicants to mark the new century and
invested in a range of projects and project sizes. Lottery funding continues to be very
important and funds ACEs Grants for the Arts for example www.artscouncil.org.uk
http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/8/3/2019 Beam 21Dec11
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Art AngelcuratedHouse byRachel Whitereadin Londons East End. Artangel was set up to
commission and produce exceptional projects by outstanding contemporary artists, as they still
do today - www.artangel.org.uk
1993
http://www.artangel.org.uk/http://www.artangel.org.uk/8/3/2019 Beam 21Dec11
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Newcastle-Gateshead / Angel of the North by Anthony Gormley has seeded many copycatproposals from Regeneration agencies wherebiggest or most expensive is the datum (i.e.See Mark Wallingers Ebbsfleet White Horse and Anish Kapoors Temenos) -
www.angelofthenorth.org.uk
1998
http://www.angelofthenorth.org.uk/http://www.angelofthenorth.org.uk/8/3/2019 Beam 21Dec11
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2008
New Icons of the North was a 4.5m public art fundcreated out of regionalmarketing and
tourism monies from the 100m The Northern Wayfund of the 3 northern RDAs and Arts
Council. Biggest projects include Richard Wilsons Turning the Place Over(above),Another
Place byAnthony Gormleyand Channel 4s Big Art Project
www.thenorthernway.co.uk
http://www.thenorthernway.co.uk/http://www.thenorthernway.co.uk/8/3/2019 Beam 21Dec11
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London 2012Olympic ParkOrbitby Anish Kapoor will become the largest public art work in UK
www.orbittower.org.uk
2011
http://www.orbittower.org.uk/http://www.orbittower.org.uk/8/3/2019 Beam 21Dec11
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Art as Social Engager
How can the arts in different cultures inform and effect the development of
public space?
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Starting Point:
What are the virtues of public space?
Firmly tongue-in-cheek, the Seven Heavenly Virtues were first coined by the Greek
philosophers, Aristotle and Pato (Liberality, Temperance, Chastity, Humility,Patience, Dilligence & Kindness). They were linked and directly opposed the
Cooresponding Seven Deadly Sins (Greed, Gluttony, Lust, Pride, Wrath, Sloth
& Envy).
In terms of considering the civic influence from art on our shared sense of public
spaces, the following case studies are suggested as a starting point fordiscussion:
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Town Square, City of Sugar Land: http://www.sugarlandtownsquare.com/events
Symbiosis
1. Liberality (v Greed)Will, benevolence, generosity, sacrifice
http://www.sugarlandtownsquare.com/eventshttp://www.sugarlandtownsquare.com/eventshttp://www.sugarlandtownsquare.com/eventshttp://www.sugarlandtownsquare.com/events8/3/2019 Beam 21Dec11
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Unilever Seriesis an annual commission sponsored by Unilever that invites international
artist to make a work of art especially for Tate Modern's Turbine Hall. The Series has
resulted in some of the most innovative and significant sculptures of recent years
includingThe Weather ProjectbyOlafur Eliasson (2003-04), and the recentSunflower
Seeds (2010-11) by Chinese artistAi Weiwei- www.tate.org.uk
UK Case Study:Unilever Series (Established 2000)
http://www.tate.org.uk/http://www.tate.org.uk/8/3/2019 Beam 21Dec11
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Crown Fountain, Chicago:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5z1ZvibiGg&feature=related
Public Ownership
2. Temperance (v Gluttony)Self-Control, justice, honour, abstention
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5z1ZvibiGg&feature=relatedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5z1ZvibiGg&feature=related8/3/2019 Beam 21Dec11
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BIG Art Trustwas funded by The Northern Way, TheArt FundandArts Council Englandto
deliver 7 projects documented byChannel 4. The most notable of these was St Helens
Dream byJaume Plensa for the old Sutton Colliery site www.dreamsthelens.com
UK Case Study:St.Helens Dream (First Established c2002)
http://www.dreamsthelens.com/http://www.dreamsthelens.com/8/3/2019 Beam 21Dec11
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3. Humility (v Pride)Bravery, modesty, reverence, altruism
Pop-Up Holistic
Urban Physic Garden, Southwark:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-13716893
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-13716893http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-137168938/3/2019 Beam 21Dec11
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Arts of Place wasdeveloped byBeam as an innovative multi-disciplinary approach to socially
and environmentally-ledplace-making. It was a complimentary strand to the 20m Bradford
City Park(Mirrorpool)- www.artsofplace.org.uk/
UK Case Study:Arts of Place (2010)
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Story Telling
4. Chastity (v Lust)Purity, knowledge, honesty, wisdom
Sultans Elephant, Nantes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4V2KCCywvc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4V2KCCywvchttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4V2KCCywvc8/3/2019 Beam 21Dec11
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Exodus was a film that included the burning of a 25-m high sculpture byAnthony Gormley
with a cast of thousands. It transformedMargate into a contemporary setting for an epic film by
Penny Woolcock inspired by the Old Testament Book shown byChannel 4. Thepublicwere
invited to actively take part - www.margateexodus.org.uk
UK Case Study:Margate Exodus (2006)
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1968 LAtelier Populaire, Paris: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmylN5f2f74
Constructive Deconstructivism
5. Patience (v Wrath)Peace, mercy, ahimsa, sufferance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmylN5f2f74http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmylN5f2f74http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmylN5f2f74http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmylN5f2f748/3/2019 Beam 21Dec11
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Banksyalthougha graffiti artistfrom 1990s began stencilling around 2000. Messages are
often anti-war, anti-capitalist or anti-establishment but always humorous. Works are
increasing being retained and valued as permanent public art www.banksy.co.uk
UK Case Study:Banksy (Established 1992)
6 Dili
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Living as Form, Creative Time, New York:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqfvnQXV9TM
Social Engagement
6. Diligence (v Sloth)Persistence, effort, ethics, rectitude
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqfvnQXV9TMhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqfvnQXV9TM8/3/2019 Beam 21Dec11
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Liverpool Biennial2002commissionedVilla Victoire byTatsouru Bashi- an elevated andfully workingone-bedroom hotelbuilt aroundQueen Victoria Monumentin Derby Square. A
15m statue of Queen Victoria loomed over the double bed - www.biennial.com
UK Case Study:Liverpool Biennial (Established 1999)
http://www.biennial.com/http://www.biennial.com/8/3/2019 Beam 21Dec11
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Improv Everywhere, NYC: http://youtu.be/Abt8aAB-Dr0
Pay it Forward
7. Kindness (v Envy)Satisfaction, loyalty, compassion, integrity
http://youtu.be/Abt8aAB-Dr0http://youtu.be/Abt8aAB-Dr08/3/2019 Beam 21Dec11
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Fourth Plinth temporary installation by the RSA on Trafalgar Squares vacant plinth have
included Anthony Gormleys One and Other(2009).
www.fourthplinth.co.uk/www.oneandother.co.uk
UK Case Study:Fourth Plinth (Established 1998) & One and Other (2009)
http://www.fourthplinth.co.uk/http://www.oneandother.co.uk/http://www.oneandother.co.uk/http://www.fourthplinth.co.uk/8/3/2019 Beam 21Dec11
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Future Questions
Living Places Cleaner, Safer, Greener
The Department of Communities and Local Government under its Living Places andrelated Planning Policy Guidance 17 (Planning for Open Space, Sport and Recreation)
previously called for safe, well-maintained and attractive public spaces to have a critical
role in creating pride in the places where we live to building community cohesion.
Exciting Places Edgier, Riskier, Artier
This is good, and the same will still apply to the Big Society and Localism Agendas, but
where will this now leave the critically under-funded arts sector and artists?
Safe is good, but perhaps managed risk is more exciting.
Do we in the UK over-manage and protect our public spaces and community use withinit too much? Does this kill an element of cultural vitality and life?
What lessons are to be learnt looking at international examples?
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Post Script Some Cultural Differences Explored
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VM0YqFJrypk&feature=youtu.behttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VM0YqFJrypk&feature=youtu.be8/3/2019 Beam 21Dec11
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Palazzo Republicco Il
First run in 1656 in
honour of Madonna of
Provenzano, Il Palio
horse race is run twice
yearly with each rider
representing a
Contrade (City Ward).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VM0YqFJrypk&feature=youtu.behttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VM0YqFJrypk&feature=youtu.behttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VM0YqFJrypk&feature=youtu.behttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VM0YqFJrypk&feature=youtu.behttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VM0YqFJrypk&feature=youtu.behttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6AENdfLdBA&feature=youtu.be8/3/2019 Beam 21Dec11
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Appleby Horse Fair (
Dating from1750 and held a
week every
June, it attracts
10,000 Gypsies
& Travellers and
30,000 othervisitors. It is the
largest and
oldest horse fair.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6AENdfLdBA&feature=youtu.behttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6AENdfLdBA&feature=youtu.behttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6AENdfLdBA&feature=youtu.behttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzWWhqL0ruY&feature=youtu.be/8/3/2019 Beam 21Dec11
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La Tomatina (Tomato F
Buol, Spain)
This major
international festival,
started in 1944 in
response to a mass
brawl and tomato fight
between local rivals.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzWWhqL0ruY&feature=youtu.be/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzWWhqL0ruY&feature=youtu.be/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzWWhqL0ruY&feature=youtu.be/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzWWhqL0ruY&feature=youtu.be/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzWWhqL0ruY&feature=youtu.be/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzWWhqL0ruY&feature=youtu.be/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3LiCZRl8PM&feature=youtu.be8/3/2019 Beam 21Dec11
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Uppies and Downies (Ma
Workington, UK)
This Medievel ball
game is played
annually over Easter.
Played between the
towns colliers andsailers (their goal
being Workington Hall
and Merchants Quay
respectively).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3LiCZRl8PM&feature=youtu.behttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3LiCZRl8PM&feature=youtu.behttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3LiCZRl8PM&feature=youtu.behttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3LiCZRl8PM&feature=youtu.behttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3LiCZRl8PM&feature=youtu.behttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3LiCZRl8PM&feature=youtu.be8/3/2019 Beam 21Dec11
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Ian Banks
Director of Atoll
