WANTED: Poet to collaborate with Architects

Really exciting opportunity....

CODA Architects in Bristol are seeking expressions of interest from poets who wish to explore the dialogue between poetry and architecture.

CODA aim to gain a poetic viewpoint on architecture, the sites they build on, the type of projects they work on or even the materials they use to help generate alternative responses to these issues when designing.

A fee of £1000 is available for the poet engaging in this project.

If you feel that this is a project that you could contribute to please submit an expression of interest, comprising your CV and an indication of how you see the project might work (five hundred words maximum) to Ronnie Rennoldson:
email r.rennoldson@coda-architects.co.uk by 3 May 2010.

For more about CODA Architects and their work visit: www.coda-architects.co.uk

River Sounding

I stumbled across Bill Fontana’s River Sounding installation at Somerset House yesterday. Sounds collected from above and below the surface of the Thames have been installed in the underground spaces of Somerset House (not usually open to the public). Some spaces also have images from the Thames projected onto walls/piles of broken stones. It is a fantastic – and (excuse the pun) immersive – experience, this mix of subterranean urban with an incredible watery soundtrack. If you’re in London, go! It’s on until 31st May, and there are a whole load of linked talks and events too. More info here: http://soundandmusic.org/activities/events/bill-fontana-river-sounding

Art and Regeneration, Why Do It?

There's a write up of a panel event, Art and Regeneration, Why Do It?, which was hosted by the Architecture Centre Network in February on ACN's website. The panel consisted of myself, Sam Wilkinson from Insite Arts and Anna Strongman from Argent.

Public Art Micro Documentary - Grasp The Words Which Sing from Ben Sherriff on Vimeo.

This 'micro-documentary' looks at Michael Fairfax's text and public art work in Exeter. It doesn't really deal with the text at all, rather addresses the politics/controversy/issues surrounding public art pieces. Some nice images though. I'd heard about the Heavitree project, but not seen images before. It's been hugely controversial, but I like it!

If you're interested to see more of Michael Fairfax's work, check out his website: www.michaelfairfax.co.uk

Writers and Public Art - a new web resource

Myself and poet Linda France were recently commissioned by NAWE to produce a web based resource offering writers an introduction to the field of Public Art. The resource, which includes an introduction on how to find work, approach partners, contacts to see what else is being done in this area and a comprehensive bibliography, is now online.

Anne Caldwell, Programme Manager for NAWE says: "The collection of images from Linda France helps bring this work to life, and can be used to begin to develop your own approaches to collaborations. The images could spark ideas about a range of visual arts materials, your own use of text and styles etc, or be used to share with potential partners as a way of sparking ideas. Linda France encourages you to create your own image bank of material to inspire projects in the future, as every writer will have their individual style and taste in this developing area of work."