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The Jerwood Proposal
Judy Dewsbery I am depressed with the amount of mis-information (including some unbelievably racist leaflets) that people are being bombarded with. I was upset with the Bonfire effigy this year until it transpired that it has been so completely mis-understood, has misfired if you will forgive the pun, that it has lost its potency. Its difficult to provide a rational response to counteract the arguments against the development when all that comes is an emotional scream of despair, so I copy below words from people who have articulated what I would like to have said.
Ed Boxall I recently completed a project, with 3 other artists, for The De La Warr in which school children from Bexhill used The Pavilion as a resource for learning. It was a wonderfully happy experience for everyone, in which I think the children had creative, spiritual experiences that would have been impossible without having the DLWP on their doorstep. Many families simply don't have the means to make trips to London to see exhibitions such as 'Unpopular Culture'. Endless learning possibilities arise from seeing an exhibition like this at the DLWP. The possibility that Hastings could have a similar cultural centre as the DLWP is desperately exciting. Quite apart from the economic benefits of the Jerwood the educational benefits will be endless. Generations in the future will benefit; it will be a fantastic focus for school projects big and small. If we allow the views of The Bonfire Society and the anti-Jerwood petitioners to win, we deprive schools of an exceptional opportunity that most towns can only dream of. The idea that the Jerwood= middle class rich outsider and anti-Jerwood= working class local is nonsense. The Jerwood will provide cultural experiences to the whole town, regardless of background. Experiences that are currently only possible for those who can afford to travel out-of-town. There are very many people in Hastings who simply can't.
Patrick Burton It's really good that there is an ongoing debate about the Jerwood, but I'm a bit puzzled, what to object to and about the not knowing what it is. Obviously the building is at outline planning stage so is only an outline , where it shoulb be best situated, ground space and height. That in my experience is the planning procedure.I understand its primary purpose is to house and show the Jerwood collection; I presume it will be showing some or all of of the ongoing Jerwood programme of national exhibitions and competitions which are shown in the Southwark Jerwood space. Jerwood in London is not a 'community ' organisation ', but provides a growing number of facilities for the Southwark, including Southwark and wider community. I'm relatively new to Hastings (nearly 4 years) and have worked in and am still slightly connected to the arts in Southwark. When I heard the Jerwood were considering locating part of their operation to Hastings, I thought this would be a wonderful opportunity for everyone here, not just artists, and would be widely welcomed. Since then I've heard that several towns and cities have offered space to the Foundation but they have stuck to their original preference. I can't understand the problem. The Jerwood could appeal to various types of audience. Working class, elderly, ethnic minorities coming here by coach, included. In Southwark we used to organise much appreciated trips to Tate Modern for all these groups. Donald Judd exhibition a favourite. The Stade is a mess, why give up your best space for a coach park? The Jerwood building in Union St, Southwark is beautiful, go and see it. Hastings could do with one decent modern building, - why no objections to Lacuna building near station, yuk. I understand Hastings has a long history of missed opportunities and either not doing things or doing them so late it needn't have bothered. Maybe that is why it has historically had and now has such appalling social statistics. Of course projects like this won't turn the town around by themselves, they only raise the cultural values and pride in the place: faster rail services (turned down), better road networks and a much stronger commitment to cultural industries should be priorities to increase employment and reduce poverty. Maybe those of us who think it is a good idea and could benefit a wide range of people in Hastings and the surrounding areas should speak to the Jerwood Foundation to present the proposal and demonstrate the Foundation's undoubted high level of commitment and quality. Perhaps, faced with a few more facts, then some of those who currently have doubts or oppose the scheme might be persuaded to change their minds. I think it would be very sad if Hastings lost the project.
Crawfurd Adamson As a practising artist, with experience of exhibiting my work in London, Europe, USA and Hong Kong, I am left bewildered by Hasting's reluctance to welcome the concept of an art gallery in the old town. I have long argued that hastings needs an exhibition space showing work of such a calibre and quality that people will travel here specifically to see the exhibitions. Jerwood is offering this! The knock-on effect could benefit the entire town. Existing galleries in the town, showing work by some of the numerous artists who live and work here, could benefit from new potential buyers. Hotels, restaurants, shops, tourist attractions would all gain. To use such a prime site as the Stade for parking coaches beggars belief. Talking to London Gallery owners about The Jerwood Collection coming to Hastings, the reaction is "how on earth did Hastings manage that?" They would not believe me were I to tell them of the negative reaction from some of the residents. This could be the best thing that has happened to the town. Let us embrace it. Check out the Jerwood website to see the scale of their work, from the sculpture park at Ragley Hall to the Rehearsal and exhibition spaces in London. http://www.jerwood.org/ |
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