In 1999 an in-depth report was commissioned to provide a strategic vision for Chatham and the Medway region of Kent, writes Isabel Vasseur. The report described Chatham as a location with outstanding potential for development; as the cultural heart of Medway, a thriving centre for living, working, learning, shopping, culture and entertainment.
Historically, Chatham developed as a trade centre and dockyard town with easy access to London by water. The town has had strong links with the Royal Navy for over 400 years and had a flourishing naval dockyard until 1984, when the Government decided to close it. This triggered a period of regeneration for Chatham and indeed the whole area. Medway Council created a strategy for Chatham, with the objective of improving public perception of the town locally, regionally and nationally. All aspects of development for Chatham were examined, including property, planning, design, land-use, waterfront use and transport issues.
It was decided that public art should form an integral part of the regeneration process, figuring in the short- and medium-term environmental improvements to Chatham. In March 2003, Medway Council commissioned ArtOffice to begin work on the Chatham Public Art Project. The aim was to build a programme which would include the local community and produce a series of one-off events which would raise local awareness, and also create promotional opportunities to market Chatham on a wider scale as a developing regional centre of excellence.
The first of a series of public art events will take place this month ? the screening at Chatham?s Central Theatre of artist Nikolaj Bendix Skyum Larsen?s film Portrait in Time. The artist worked with Chatham residents throughout December 2002 in the Pentagon Shopping Centre, collecting their ideas, memories and images of the town. He developed good relationships with some residents, even being invited into their homes and community groups. The results of his findings were put together into a video portrait of the town.
Further work is planned this year with artist John Newling, who was recently also commissioned to create an installation in Canterbury Cathedral. Another artist who will be working with the Public Art Project is Michael Pinsky, who is renowned for examining architectural spaces alongside people?s perceptions of time.
All Chatham Public Art Projects take place in buildings and sites identified to undergo dramatic change within the long-term plans for the regeneration of the town. The projects are designed to challenge people?s views of the built environment. We hope the art works will be unforgettable for Chatham?s residents, and also serve Medway Council?s aim of creating sophisticated events which raise the town?s profile through cultural and media value.
It is my frequent experience that Authorities handling regeneration projects are more open to forward-thinking ideas for art. The artists working in Chatham are not the obvious household names with which the public are more than familiar. They are acclaimed up-and-coming artists who are also aware of the need to communicate to audiences of all ages. The use of new artists in itself reflects on the notion of Chatham as somewhere innovative, culturally aware and progressive.
Isabel Vasseur is Director of art producers ArtOffice. t: 020 7483 3133;
e: ivasseur@artoffice.co.uk; w: http://www.artoffice.co.uk