This video was presented on Thursday 1st December to a select audience

On 21st and 22nd October 2011, four artists engaged with the public to produce unique works of art and gather their ideas for the renovation of Taunton High Street in Somerset, England.
Further details contact Somerset Art Works on 01458 253800 or email
info@somersetartworks.org.uk

Video filmed and edited by Dan Gale Rightsmart.org.uk

Summary

As a result of the inspirational art activities the event generated a solid body of work which will inform the proposed re-developments. The public consultation included a large cross-section of the community - a wide range of ages and abilities, representing those who work, live and visit the High Street.  For people who couldn’t attend the event, other opportunities were offered either verbally during Market days, or on-line via the facebook page. 

A solid platform for future community involvement has been set, with plans for utilising Mendip House for continued projects led by local arts organisations. It is the intention to continue artist involvement in the forthcoming stages of the planning and design and the Street Carpet event has provided a unique opportunity for representatives from Project Taunton, Taunton Deane, Reveal and Reed Holland Associates to forge new relations and links with local artists, businesses and the local community.

The event provides the basis upon which a considered and detailed master plan can be developed. Key concerns that will be fed into the master planning process will include:

·         Seating: positioning within the High Street, height and design, incorporating considerations for vandal proofing and shelter provision.

·         Signposting and thoroughfares: both permanent and for temporary events. A way of joining up and linking the different parts of Taunton. Clear routes for cyclists and areas for bike racks.

·         Trees and greenery: grief expressed for the loss of the plain trees. We received knowledgeable suggestions for types of trees and planting varieties and designs.

·         Social activity: For the High Street to be the centre of town life. More attractive shops, lighting, performance/arts space. Something to attract and entertain all ages and genders. Areas for the community to display/advertise/take part in activities.

·         Heritage: build on the best of Taunton. There is a feeling that the things that the area was known for…the pigs, the frogs, have been taken away (along with the seating and now the trees) and yet nothing has been replaced. The beautiful aspects of the High Street are hidden and overshadowed by shop fronts and uneven and mismatching paving.

·         Environmental concerns: A mix of ‘green’ materials and ‘modern’ design. Concern for the design to be sustainable, in terms of maintenance and funding.

Helena Haimes Digital Artist

I wanted to put together a digital piece of work for street carpets - one that incorporated both still and moving image and that evolved according to the public's comments. Over the course of the two days, we had a fantastic range of responses from a range of ages. We filmed and photographed loads of your "visual comments" (pictures of architectural features and other elements of the space they are particularly keen on; film of people drawing their favourite buildings), which I continuously added to the display in the window of Mendip House.

There definitely appears to be certain architectural features that people are eager to see highlighted and well preserved in any future plan for the High Street - the tudor building that currently houses an estate agency, and the wonderful late Victorian frontage above Tesco Express were especially commented upon.

Here's a link to the video piece I put together from the images you supplied me with:

http://vimeo.com/32073687

What we learnt from you

We asked you some questions.

 What do you like about the High Street ?

What would you like to see in the High Street ?

Here's just a few of the things you said:

'Keep the things we love: don’t change for the sake of changing.'

'The farmers market should be spread up the High Street, and there could be permanent stalls.'

'Taunton needs to enhance its OWN IDENTITY. '

'FUN'

'A bit of art-sculptures'

'Christmas decorations.'

'Keep good shops in the centre of town'

'Bars'

'Farmers market, a proper one, like the old Cattle Market. The current market has half the stalls. The old market was great.'

Main concerns were: 

bicycle pathways, safety, seating, trees, signposting. 
'Joined up thinking' in design, through choice of materials used and trees planted, to unite the town.

Making Our Street Carpets in the High Street

 

You drew fountains, pathways, statues, trees, animals, places to eat, places to perform.

'Pram friendly', 'clowns and fairs', 'Youth clubs for da kids', 'carnival fun, fun', 'competitions', 'a sign saying High Street would be nice'.

'Anything that encourages different cultures to connect in this street is a must.'

'Colourful flowers'

'Coloured pavement -Play area for kids-art section'

Central park with water feature'

Where do I park my bike?

 One of your favourite views through the trees

One of your favourite shop fronts

Setting up in the High Street

At 9.30 am on Friday morning the organisers met bringing a jumble of chairs, tables, posters, bunting and a carpet. Final arrangements for artists positions on the High Street were jiggled as vans and lorries delivering to shops had to be negotiated. Once we had our 'base' set up and the Mendip House 'HQ' peppered with posters, interest soon grew.

A brilliant idea by our student volunteers...

an arrow trail, leading from our base outside Crown along the High Street to each activity!

 

 

Natalie taping her map of the High Street onto the High Street. At the moment it is a bare canvas, waiting for your ideas, for you to add detail and colour.

 

 Neil marking out the perimeter of his 'Carpet' 

while his assistant Karly prepares the sticks with reflective tape. 

The tape not only reflects in low light, but will also reflect your thoughts and feelings about the High Street, in equally luminous markers. Literally highlighting your feelings.

 Meanwhile further up the High Street, Jo is wheeling stacks of pre-cut jigsaw pieces. Painted white ready for you to take with you as you study the High Street, really look up at the buildings around you, or down at the paving until you find a motif, favourite feature or a symbol that you want to see more of in future.

Helena at the top of High Street has taken over a vacant shop as her digital artwork needs a projector and a huge canvas screen. 

Collecting photos and video, taken by you,  Helena will add new pictures to the video screen in the window.

 

Join us in the High Street tomorrow and Saturday!

Look out for artists in red tomorrow and Saturday! We'll be in Taunton's High Street with four different fun activities for you to try.

There's a digital photography projection piece to be involved in making, two different drawing activities and a weaving activity with lengths of coloured tape as well.

All of the work is for the Big Draw but in Taunton we are also specifically using the opportunity to collect your ideas, thoughts, memories and experiences of the High Street. The responses we collect in the form of drawings, words, text, photos etc. will then be used as a creative resource to help inspire and provide input into the architects new designs for the High Street when it is re-developed.

We'll be there from 11.00 to 2.30pm tomorrow and Saturday! We'd love to see you.

All are welcome to come and draw on my map of the High Street! Pens provided, just bring yourselves!

Where do you paint a 180cm x 600 cm canvas? On your bedroom floor, of course!

Twas the night before the 'Big Draw' and all through the house not a creature was stirring...except me, stirring away over a pot of white emulsion paint I used to prime the canvas which I am going to be laying on the floor of the High Street in Taunton tomorrow. Why you ask? Its for you to draw on! I'm asking people to draw what they would like to see on or happening on their High Street. All the materials are provided and I'll be there with three other artists (who are working in different ways) tomorrow and Saturday from 11 til 2.30pm. Please join us!

(above) Priming the 'little bit' of canvas on the bedroom floor.
(above) When it was dry, I drew out the map of the High Street on it.

(above) Another angle of my High Street map. Its blank now, waiting for you to come and draw your ideas on it.

Famous art carpets in the news!

Turns out that we aren't the only ones who are interested in carpeting public space. Below is an image of Gordon Young's 'Comedy Carpet' which is going to be unveiled by Ken Dodd later today on the Festival Headland promenade underneath Blackpool tower.

The carpet features jokes, sketches and catchphrases from British comics and has taken over five years to complete as each letter used to print the text had to be individually cut from concrete!

Our carpets won't be taking that long to make and we'll be there for two days in Taunton High Street on the 21st and 22nd October so please come on down and join us. Whilst we aren't making a 'comedy carpet' it is definitely going to be a lot of laughs!

Image taken from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-15237999

Past Times

Many thanks to Hatchers who gave Reed Holland architects access to their archive of old photographs, some of which are shown here.

The High Street Today

We have been out and about asking some of you who work in the High Street for your aspirations for the future and you have highlighted the roles that you would like the High Street to play. 

We are also welcoming feedback from YOU on our facebook page. 

Upload an image of a area, or detail that interests you and post your comments so that our artists can develop a feel for your concerns and priorities.

'Street Carpets on facebook' join the discussion. 

'We have an old photo in the shop of the High Street from the early 1970's. It's strange because it shows lots of cars but no people! Today I look out the window and see people, lots of people and no cars!'

Shelley Langford, 'Arditti Carpets'

'Bring the High Street back to the heart of the town.'

Donna Lucking 'Ellises Farm'

'We are delighted to be part of the re-development of the High Street and look forward to being part of a vibrant new shopping and leisure experience in Taunton.'

Tim Ackland 'Mr Miles'

'We've always enjoyed the atmostphere of this farmers market and wouldn't like to see it changing too much. It would be nice to have the paving level for safety purposes. Also, we would like to see the shop fronts looking more in keeping with buildings.'

A.Webster, 'Common Loaf'

 'Let's bring the party people back to the High Street.' Dylan Fearn 'Party On'

'How delighful it would be to see the High Street teeming with people everyday of the week 

with a mixture of trade and enlightenment.'

Robin Small 'Charlton Orchards'

'There needs to be a little bit of something for everybody to encourage vibrancy. 

Improve lighting, seating, presentation of buildings, to provide a better ambience of the High Street.'

Katie Tucker, 'Cafe Culture'

Many thanks to everyone who took the time to write their contribution, 

and apologies to any of those who have not been printed, but we can only display a selection.