Friday, 30 September 2011

The Artists

Jo Lathwood
Jo is a Bristol based sculptor who will have pre-cut white jigsaw shapes and pens for you to draw aspects that you like about the High Street or things that would like to see happen in the future. 
 Each jigsaw piece will be the same design and you will be encouraged to the draw on each piece to link to the next, either though subject or physical lines (like the game consequences).  Since each jigsaw piece is independent you can take the piece with you, so you can really study and explore the high street.
Each jigsaw piece is roughly 30cm by 30cm and with 160 jigsaw pieces this could cover an area of 15 square meters but because the carpet will be evolving in all different directions this could potentially be a little bit bigger.
All materials provided. 


Neil Musson
Neil will be collecting ideas through conversation and encouraging you to physically weave ideas into one big ‘carpet’. Come and write your ideas for the future High Street onto tape which you will then wind around a long ‘stick’ (approx 1ft long). This stick will then be connected to others creating a bright woven effect against the grey pavement.
This is a very textural piece of artwork in a location filled with intertwined branches and many architectural styles. Neil’s intention is to help people consider the surfaces around them and consider what materials and shapes (wood, metal, water? natural or manmade?) they would like built into their environment.

All materials provided. This would suit the more confident writer.


Helena Haimes
Helena is a digital artist working in film and still images and she’s inviting you to record your own pictures that will become part of a series of ‘tiles’.
Your pictures could be inspired by of your memories of the high street; an interesting building/architectural feature; a well known character in the area or could show you interacting with your favourite parts of the area.
These ‘tiles’ then form a ‘carpet’ and will be rear-projected onto the window of Mendip House  and will consist of individual images, or short pieces of film.
Helena will constantly be editing the footage, and adding it to the projected ‘carpet’, through her computer as it comes in, so the ‘tiles’ will be continuously changing.


It is essential that you can provide your own digital cameras and leads to download images as Helena can only work with one group at a time and small groups must be prepared to share equipment.
You must be able to operate, and be responsible for borrowed cameras.


Natalie Parsley
Natalie will be creating a large scale interactive drawing in the form of a map of the high street.  This drawing will be laid out onto paper or canvas on the floor of the high street. The public will then be invited to contribute their ideas/thoughts onto the map in the form of words or drawings.
You could draw things that currently happen in the High Street, areas you visit, the route you regularly take, or things that have happened in the past that you would like to see again.
The final ‘carpet’ will be a diverse and rich map of the High Street covered in words and drawings.
All materials provided.

Taunton High Street is changing – be part of the change; join the Mass Draw.

High Street, Taunton, Friday 21 and Saturday 22 October, between 11.00 am and 2.30pm
A free event - meet at entrance to Crown Walk for instructions.


Local architects, Reed Holland Associates, have been appointed by Project Taunton to:
  • make immediate improvements to the High Street by removing clutter and overgrown trees and
  • develop a landscape design or ‘master plan’ which will shape the High Street’s future. 

It’s ‘early days’ but we’ve already received suggestions including: a linear park with open air cafe, new paving, new seating, cycle paths and events spaces.  The Project Taunton team want you – the people who use Taunton High Street - to contribute to its future and have invited the Somerset Reveal Partners (Somerset Art Works, The Brewhouse and Somerset Film) to stage a spectacular event to give everyone a chance to have their say and to have some fun at the same time.

The 2 day event will offer people the opportunity to get creative.  Huge ‘canvasses’ will be laid out on the pavements like a series of carpets providing a welcoming space for people to contribute their ideas using drawing, words, collage and photography.  Experienced artists will work with you to record your thoughts and ideas about the street.  This might include identifying favourite places, interesting details of buildings, highlighting local history or recording personal memories. All contributions will be documented and a film will be made of the days.  The final artworks will be used to inspire design ideas for the High Street and will be displayed at various events as the project develops.

We want to involve the whole community, all ages, all abilities: shoppers, visitors, retailers, market stall holders and residents.  Local interest groups and schools and colleges will be invited too. 

Get involved and make your mark!
Post your comments on our facebook page: click here!

For further details contact:
Somerset Art Works on 01458 253800 info@somersetartworks.org.uk or Sophy 07765 253294
or
Project Taunton on 01823 250809, info@projecttaunton.co.uk