| Author |
Message |
Michael Pinsky
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Wednesday, 12 November, 2003 - 11:55 am: | |
Dear All
I am working on a Public Art Strategy for Forest Hill, focusing on the route between Forest Hill railway station and Horniman Museum. This includes the new Sainsbury’s development. I would be very grateful for any suggestions, comments or desires you have for the area. This will include temporary events as well as permanent artworks.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes
Michael Pinsky |
Just what we dont need
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Wednesday, 12 November, 2003 - 01:20 pm: | |
This would be great since the traffic goes so slowly ,with all the traffic lights and bus lanes in crazy positions ,that everybody moves about as fast as round a museum.
Perhaps the public art could include lots more road signs and restrictions with more coloured lines going in random directions across the road.
More closed down shops would also brighten the place up.
I think there might be better ways to spend money developing this area than art. Let's get our priorities right. |
Elizabeth
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Sunday, 16 November, 2003 - 08:43 am: | |
Dear JWWDN,
I'm sure you didn't meant to be rude, unconstructive and generally miserable in your reply! Probably the change in the weather. You're forgiven.
If you have a beef about traffic, log your comments under the relevant conversation topic. If you don't think much of art, fine too, but you should be aware that where public art is done well, investment, general improvements,and a rise in property values usually follow. Forest Hill features in Lewisham's Creative Quarter strategy and has already benefitted from similar ventures. Check out the Bellenden Rd experience also. And then there's Paris and Barcelona...
Michael Pinsky was asking for our views, a rare thing these days, so be grateful, poppet.
Methinks street furniture would be good- a la Guimard in Paris ( the art nouveau metro signs)-would complement the Horniman itself.Something which remains in perpetuity. Would prefer to avoid the likes of the garish muriel which garnishes half the railway underpass. I don't believe we were ever consulted about that. |
Kevin
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Sunday, 16 November, 2003 - 11:34 am: | |
Garish Muriel!
Would you rather see a complete underpass covered in graffiti instead of local youths being given the opportunity to express themselves in a controlled manner all in the name of art.
Oh sorry, i forgot, art is something that us underclass have no understanding. Maybe this is the reason why your stance is lost on the vast majority of decent people in Forest Hill and targeted at the 'high brow inteligencia' that are so prevelant in Forest Hill.
You can have your art after you have assisted in cleaning up the area with regards to the roads and other issues, untill then, not a drop of public money should be spent on features that would not only look out of place, but also be completely out of touch with what people actually want!
people want homes they can afford, roads that are safe and local exhibitors displaying local art, not some taudy parisian makeshift, that can only be appriciated by the few! And why do you want to see an increase in house prices, with the tube coming it will be near on impossible for local people to buy in their town!
For further coments, please see Art Displays topic below and in future please place your coments onto the thread that was started several months ago. It would make it much easier for people like me to follow. |
Art Lover
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Monday, 17 November, 2003 - 12:22 pm: | |
Kevin
Not sure why you felt the need to attack Elizabeth as she was simply replying to the original post by Michael Plinsky which is not on exactly the same as your orginal thread started some months ago.
Nor do I see how street furniture automatically excludes local artists in your view. You contradict yourself by accusing Elizabeth of talking down to the "decent" people of Forest Hill yet in the same breath say that only a few can appreciate certain kinds of art - what absolute nonsense! It is not up to you to decide when Forest Hill can have art and on what terms, and indeed, although I am no expert on budgets, I would imagine that the budgets for public art and traffic come from two very different pots of resources.
I agree absolutely with you that traffic in F/H needs to be sorted out, but unless the south circular is re-routed (one can dream!) that's not likely to happen for a long time - at least some decent art would give you something to look at while you're stuck in traffic coming down London Road.
As you are clearly a man who is active in the community and interested in inproving the local area, why don't you reply to Michael Plinsky with your ideas on public art displays as discussed on your thread rather giving angry and reactionary responses to a woman who was merely giving her opinion as to what she'd like to see in the area. The "intelligentsia" as you put it can be "decent people" with valid ideas too you know. |
Rob
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Monday, 17 November, 2003 - 12:54 pm: | |
Dear Michael
I'm sorry that you have received such negative replies so far. As a resident of Forest Hill, I think the art initiative is an excellent idea and those who are working hard to delivery much-needed asthetic improvements must be applauded.
So, to answer your question, I think the public art should focus on the eclectic 'world culture' theme of the Horniman Museum. That is, without doubt, Forest Hill's greatest asset. The theme of each room, e.g. natural history, african art, music, could therefore provide some great inspiration.
The art should also include an acknowledgement of the area's history, e.g. the canal that used to run through SE23.
It is also important to remember that if public art is to be enjoyed, you need to provide better public spaces. Recent widening of the pavement near McDonalds etc, has given more distance between the shopper and the car. More should be done to improve this wherever possible.
Lastly, it would also be a good idea to involve local young people via London East Connexions or The Prince's Trust to commission one piece of art that is done with their help. This would not only provide a constructive and engaging project of disaffected young people in SE23, but also give a better sense of ownership.
I hope that's useful. |
Kevin
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Monday, 17 November, 2003 - 11:06 pm: | |
I stand by my earlier postings.
I do not like people who patronise others
( Elizabeths opening remarks ) and those who are critical of community enhancement projects, such as the so called 'garish muriel'.
I for one, as you can see from my earlier postings on this subject, am wholeheartedly in favour in any enhancement propsals for Forest Hill, be it environmental improvements, safety improvements or just plain ordinary project feel good sort of stuff.
What I do object to in no uncrtain terms is 'off at a tangent' projects that may well enhance our Town in the long term, but have no real sence of belonging in the first place!
If people are so comitted to art projects or urban renaissance then fine. But put them in there place. Become part of the steering group. Become part of what is happening. Get a feel for the vision and then the art will come, and be welcomed.
Lewisham council have spent over £1,000,000 in recent years within Forest Hill on street furniture, cleaning up the two 'squares' and other enviro-improvements including CCTV and better lighting. What with the Railway and sainsburys re-developments all coming over the next few years Forest Hill will seriously start to look like a nice little district again.
It is at that point we should be appointing an Urban Art commissioner or something of the like.
Art should be a celebration of an achievment or a real depiction (if that is the word?) of what an area means to those who live and work there, such as the occassionall vandalised wall carvings underat the J/W Davids Road. Not wrought iron Parisian style 'Art decor' flavour of the month artifacts that no doubt come from public coffers in the first place.
Put art in it's place people............
And that is.............
Behind People and their needs. |
David
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Tuesday, 18 November, 2003 - 10:28 am: | |
Kevin,
For someone who doesn't like people who patronise others, you seem to be doing a good job yourself.
Michael Pinsky was asking for public suggestions. Elizabeth gave one (something which the prior user did not, perhaps that's why she remarked). Who are you to tell her that her suggestions are out of place?
I seem to remember that some of your suggestions on another post were certainly not "art in it's place, people"
By all means make your own suggestions, but if all you can do is rubbish other peoples' then please don't bother. |
Michael Pinsky
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Monday, 24 November, 2003 - 12:03 pm: | |
Dear All
It is good to see that this forum is so well used.
In response to JWWDN, I think the idea of ‘more coloured lines going in random directions across the road’, is really interesting and I will talk to Transport for London about it as soon as possible.
In response to Rob and Elizabeth, The Horniman Museum is a great resource and I am planning to use its collection a focus for the work.
One of my key concerns is to make sure that the development in Forest Hill is distinctive and unique. Britain suffers from a general homogenisation where all the town centres start to look the same with similar paving, street furniture, shops and bars. As an area becomes more successful the chain stores move in and the area becomes progressively blander. This is why it is important to have ‘off at a tangent’ input at an early stage not after all the ‘improvements’ have taken place.
I do think the South Circular cutting through the heart of Forest Hill is a problem, though not necessarily one that public art can solve in the long term. That being said, I did think of grassing over London Road for a day and rolling eggs down it for Easter. Something radical like this may allow people to reclaim their community, even if only for a day, and raise awareness.
I would really appreciate any input on what you think makes Forest Hill unique and how we can celebrate this, both in terms of artwork (permanent and temporary), and street design, including ‘off at a tangent’ ideas.
Best Wishes
Michael |
Ian Holt London Wildlife Trust
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Friday, 28 November, 2003 - 11:19 am: | |
What a passionate crowd you all are! I think its quite clear that whatever your opinions on art you all care very strongly for Forest Hill which is a good starting point at least. Personally and professionally I hope that the "Forest" of Forest Hill can perhaps be incorporated into any designs as for those still unaware the largest wood within 5 miles of the city lies little more than a 5 minute walk from the Horniman Museum. |
Kevin
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Friday, 28 November, 2003 - 11:54 pm: | |
Please don't advertise it Ian, let people find it for themselves like I did with my young family tens years ago. The ancient great north wood will be over run by trendy outdoor types within a couple of weekends and there will be no space left for the tree huggers of this great parish.
Somebody will probably suggest a coffee stop or Parisian style metro sign to advertise it if it gets any more popular. |
Marion Wood
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Thursday, 04 December, 2003 - 03:54 pm: | |
Dear Michael Pinsky
Would you be willing please to spend some time in Forest Hill to talk to local people about the Public Art Strategy and its fit with other local issues? There are lots of Forest Hillers who are interested in their town but who will not have seen your internet message or been involved in any previous consultation exercises. I am sure there will be lots of ideas, support and real enthusiasm once the ball gets rolling.
Equally, you (and others!) might learn more about some of the lovely but less well known features of our area and gain a better understanding of the very real problems e.g.constant South Circular traffic that worry local people.
Please post your contact details on the SE23 website so that I can get in touch with you about a couple of good venues close to the Horniman which could host a meeting and/or drop in type event. It would be good to get plans for the first temporary arts event underway. I also suggest the we should identify what other community projects could achieve for our town and how these could be funded. |
Elizabeth
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Thursday, 04 December, 2003 - 09:42 pm: | |
Its nice to see a positive and constructive approach on this subject, as per Marion's entry! |
siobhan
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Sunday, 07 December, 2003 - 01:25 am: | |
Some commanding scuplture would be nice. I think this is a nice and positive project. What measures are being taken to ensure that any art displyed is not vandalised? |
Michael Pinsky
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Tuesday, 09 December, 2003 - 04:12 pm: | |
Dear Marion
My email address is michael@michaelpinsky.com, I would be happy to have a meeting and I am always interested to find out more about the area.
Dear Ian
I think you work at the Horniman Museum, where is this forest? I would love to go for a walk there.
Best wishes
Michael |
Marion Wood
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Thursday, 22 January, 2004 - 12:53 pm: | |
Michael Pinsky did contact me after my comments on 4 December. He has some official meetings in Lewisham and Forest Hill tomorrow and we have agreed a time slot for an opportunity for some Forest Hillers to meet Michael and also float some ideas to him. If you are free to join us, please email timbertops_maw @hotmail.com for the venue and time. |
Elizabeth
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Saturday, 24 January, 2004 - 11:54 am: | |
Marion, I have just seen your message- I presume you mean Friday 23rd for a meeting? If so then I for one have missed it, but it would be nice if Michael could arrange a more public meeting to include wider community representation. Would you/he please try and set something up? I think the Hob may be happy to let people use part of their upstairs areas on Mondays/Tuesdays when they are less busy.
PS Thanks for taking the initiative! |
New Forest Hill resident
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Wednesday, 28 January, 2004 - 12:20 am: | |
I enjoy scupltures with a bit of humour, which also reflect the everyday preoccupations of 'normal' people (rather than a boring statue of some apparently famous person). Examples I'm fond of are the 'hags with the bags' (two old ladies with their shopping backs taking a rest on a bench) or 'the tart with the cart' (Molly Malone), both in Dublin. In my home town of Dundee where DC Thomson, the publisher of the Beano and the Dandy, is based the City Council erected bronze statues of Desperate Dan, Dennis the Menace and Gnasher - they're a great example of humourous art. They certainly brighten up my day when I see them any time I'm home visting family. |
Les
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Wednesday, 28 January, 2004 - 06:05 pm: | |
Great idea I think. A couple of concepts that I like:
1. The project done around the Peckham area with sculpted bollards and other assorted street art seemed to get a positive reception.
2. The concept of Forest Hill being a gateway on the A205 - making something positive out of one of its biggest problem - the traffic. How about something arching across the road, that will make a real impact on the drivers that would otherwise ignore it. It might make them slow down too. I'm thinking about the signs over the road that you see in Stamford and villages in Norfolk. I don't mean something as traditional as this, but you get the idea @
http://www.netcomuk.co.uk/~dscholes/5051.html
Cheers,
Les. |
roz
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Thursday, 29 January, 2004 - 09:43 pm: | |
Dear 'New Forest Hill Resident';
Welcome to SE23. Ref' hags with the bags' and ' tart with the cart'- not such a good welcome- around these parts us women don't really want to be described, or see others described, in such an openly sexist,offensive manner, least of all in this presumably inclusive website. This is London, and things are different here. So, NFHR, please observe this quaint local custom of respect and politeness to and about the opposite sex, and I'm sure we'll all get along fine. |
Hils
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Thursday, 05 February, 2004 - 09:38 pm: | |
How about benches that are fun like the ones in Melbourne, Australia where they are tiled and colourful. I also like the idea of sculptures. If Forest Hill Station was renovated maybe the carpark could become a feature of sculptures and seating. Just an idea! Or maybe it could just be renovated |
CT
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Friday, 06 February, 2004 - 11:08 am: | |
Roz... Dont get so uptight!! its only a nickname and is midly amusing becuase it rhymes... like the floozy in the jacuzzi in victoria square in birmingham.
Has anyone looked at the Forest Hill Urban design Framework and Development Strategy (march 2003) as prepared by Lewisham Council. Whilst this is only a report about what should or could be done it does give a lot of ideas about what the Council would like to see happen to Forest Hill.
Youll never get over the south cirluar, so surely the idea is to create an pleasant environment that distracts from the south circluar... and maybe most importantly create an sense of place.
i personally like the idea of public art that links to the hornimann and their exhibitions... as this is forest hills greatest asset. |
RJS
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Monday, 23 February, 2004 - 01:41 pm: | |
Whatever public art is used, it should be designed to ensure that the majority of people can gain something from it. It should also reflect the local area and history (maybe something to do with the old canal or atmospheric railway) and not just be art for art's sake. Public art should act as a lift and become a focal point and not become something you just walk past without thinking about or even noticing. |
Michael Pinsky
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Thursday, 26 February, 2004 - 05:33 pm: | |
Dear All
I have taken on board many of your comments and I will arrange another meeting soon. With regards to Les, I also think that there should be an artwork that acts as a gateway to Forest Hill. There has been money avialable to do this and I have come up with an idea, which was to be sited under the rail bridge as you approach Forest Hill from the east. This work has been supported by the Town Centre Steering Group and the Lewisham Planners, but TFL have not been so forthcoming. They seem to think that any illuminated artwork will cause drivers to career off the road. I think this being a bit over cautious since there are plenty of adverts on the south circular. Anyhow I am trying to have a meeting with them to argue my case.
I also like humour in work or certainly a sense of playfulness. This can manifest itself in many ways. I am also developing work that links the rail station with the Horniman, using their collections as a focus.
Anyhow, bye for now and I will up-date you my attempts to make TFL understand communities and culture!
Best
Michael |
New Forest Hill Resident
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Monday, 01 March, 2004 - 04:55 pm: | |
Dear Roz,
1. Get a grip - you're over-sensitivity to what are fond and colloquial terms for much loved artworks is a complete over-reaction.
2. You're insinuation that things are 'different here' in London as compared to my home town of Dundee is offensive - are you trying to imply that there are different standards of humanity, politeness or treatment of women north of the border? If so, you'd be well advised to keep your generalist and obviously poorly informed opinions to your self.
2. I'm a female. |
Michael Pinsky
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Saturday, 13 March, 2004 - 12:39 pm: | |
Dear All
I am compiling an interactive CD with everyone's art suggestions for Forest Hill. I have maps that I can send you to write and draw your ideas on. If you give me your address I will send one to you. After you send it back to me, I will scan it and send the original back to you. This CD will be publicly located for everyone to have a look at.
My email address is michael@michaelpinsky.com
I look forward to hearing from you and seeing all your ideas.
Best wishes
Michael |
Forest HillBilly
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Sunday, 14 March, 2004 - 12:04 am: | |
For my thruppence worth,
The problem with humourist art, like humour itself, is that it is particular, not general.In other words, what one sees as funny another might not. This is all well and good with a painting or caricature, where one simply moves on,but personally, I draw the line with public sculpture. A joke might seem hilarious on first hearing it, amusing a second time, but hearing ( or indeed seeing the same joke time and again is worse than tedious!). I personally am not interested in funding some artists idea of a joke, but I do value art and would love to see a montmartre style area locally, where local artists could display and sell their work without being charged, which wouldn't cost the rest of us a penny and would enhance the character of the area. Bottom line is, support for local artists yes, but big scale projects which gratify the ego of the artist and pander to the notions or the humour of a few and which the rest of us have to pay for and live with for the rest of our lives, no ta. A beautiful,big fountain being the exception, of course. |
Michael Pinsky
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Thursday, 18 March, 2004 - 01:52 pm: | |
Dear Forest HillBilly
Where would you like a fountain? Were would you like a Montmoartre railing for paintings?
I am going to compile everyones ideas on to a map, uncensored, the more ideas the better.
Best wishes
Michael P |
jim
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Friday, 19 March, 2004 - 09:55 am: | |
anything wrong with improving facilities in the name of art? - getting architects and artists to work together on lighting, landscaping (comments above on the station - that could do with a major overhaul) and highlighting and utilising existing structures through refurbishment....the stations underpass...the railway bridge itself arching across the A205...the entire row of derelict shop fronts by sainsburys....the victorian public loos that have all but been consumed by bland building developments... |
Rob
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Friday, 19 March, 2004 - 10:13 am: | |
Jim
I'm not sure about your other ideas (the loos will soon be flats and the derelict Sainsbury's shops will be demolished in June) but your general theme of improving existing sites is an excellent one. I particularly like your idea about the ugly railway bridge. If art can be used in a constructive way to perhaps welcome drivers to Forest Hill, then I think that would be a most welcome way of using art to improve the local environment.
I also believe that public art should be used to improve the east side of the station. Finches, Forest des Amis and the new grocers are all making a concerted effort to improve the local area. This art project would be a good way of helping them to sustain and improve the area and trade. |
Dom Orfork
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Tuesday, 23 March, 2004 - 04:03 am: | |
- following Dom Orfork previous post -
There are loads of young kids, of teens, and adults, who all look outside their window and think 'it's dead!'. Past are the pre-war times of Forest Hill with its large streets and its station standing proud in its centre. Today we have a big laundrette a big Weatherspoon, a big Blockbuster and an ugly station. The roads are small, the buildings are bought by promoters who sell or rent them after cheap refurbishment…
This area has been killed. Look: speaking of culture, they turned the gorgeous defunct cinema into a Weatherspoon. When are they to turn Westminster into a pub?
I should not say that because they also have refurbished the Horniman museum beautifully. But we could have done with a great cinema/theatre.
The only life we seem to see here, I am afraid - apart from a few new individual ventures - is the noisy A205.
I support 100% the idea of Hillbilly, A Montmartre in Forest would bring more life that the Horniman. More, it would promote the Horniman – and since it must costs a fortune to maintain the Horniman, we all would win.
If you could get the council to spend less of our money on CCTVs and on these 'big bums' on the road that cost - I was told a few weeks ago, £5000 each and are mainly a blessing for the local mechanics... and instead have them invest in public free art teaching during spring and the summer in very obvious places, such as in front of the Railway station. I mean where EVERYONE can see it, not in a park or hidden in a room somewhere, you would have accomplished something huge for this community.
Music courses, right there in the middle would be fantastic!
- 5 guitar teachers with loud amps, three sax, two keyboard players and a couple of drummers to call the population and then teach on acoustic instruments. A room close by could then be allocated to noisy instruments like sax and drums.(not to annoy the whole area for a whole afternoon). Harp, violin, etc could be taught too.
I understood that the front of the station is to be increased in size, so they should all fit well on there.
We could have public free live music teaching on Saturday afternoons and public drawing, painting, sculpting on Sunday afternoons. If only from June till September.
THIS would change Forest Hill!
If necessary people would pay a small fee for 1/2 hour learning the basics of guitar, of drawing etc. They would bring their kids.
It would bring custom to the shops, the restaurants, the Horniman. It would bring smiles on faces, everyone would benefit from it.
Keep things conservative and quiet and it will be wasted money. It must me high in colour and loud enough so that people passing through the A205 stop and go 'gee! it's happening here!'.
We want ART we want LIVE ART. We want our local artists to have public exposure in town right there at the front of the station and our local musicians to be able to play live outside in the street.
We want Forest Hill to become known as 'the artists’ village'. We want it to become the new Notting Hill!
After all, 'Forest' sounds better than 'Notting', isn't it?
I guess this would have to be done through a committee who would filter and ensure that solely quality art is exposed, sold, taught. That's the tough part - but we want no mediocrity in Forest Hill. This committee should have a well exposed office with shop window in the heart of the village. And security should be catered for to make sure that no drugs or doggy guys move in. But this is the price to pay if Forest Hill is to wake up form its tomb.
Personally I don't see why spending money on old art in this project. Of course, I love 'past art', but we have here an opportunity to create employment, to educate our kids and make this place a location where people will want to move to.
There is already a big community of artists – alive ones! - and they are wasted. No bodies know they are here. So they show their art somewhere else. Some are well-known artists, musicians, painters…
Do you think that you could cater for some aesthetic building structure that would improve the look of the station and protect our artists from bad weather while creating and teaching in public? – and where musicians would be able to perform/teach during week-end evenings or afternoons?
But it would work only if they are right in the middle where everybody can see them.
I do not see it as a carnival or a terrible jam – even though we should think of a Forest Hill Carnival. But mostly as a cultural educative activity that would primarily be addressed to local people - Kids, adults, elderly, whether pro or excellent amateur artists or those who want to learn. Then this could be extended to outsiders.
Thank you for your help, and let’s have a singing Forest hill!
Dom Orfork |
Dom Orfork
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Tuesday, 23 March, 2004 - 04:07 am: | |
Sorry, this is the FIRST part of my message.
---------------------------------------------
Hi everyone!
This forum is the business! I live in Forest Hill since 4 years and work here too. Please accept my apologies for my English, I am of French origin - no need to tell me to go back where I come from!
I find that Michael's efforts to consult with us regarding the future of our village is something very refreshing in a time where the authorities take decisions for the population without giving a damn. Thanks Michael!
First, can a painter paint some black landscapes over the double yellow lines which are preventing us to park anywhere in our own town? I heard Paul Gauguin was looking for a job... I am sure that the local shops would offer him free meals and drinks for the time of the venture. This would be very impressive!
Second, It is true that Forest Hill has a very interesting past and that this should be clearly exposed somewhere in town - like in a small museum.
Third, yes the council spent a fortune on CCTVs, road improvement things, etc. and there is the A205 right in the middle, and crime prevention costs a lot of money, and all that. We have our problems, this is the year 2004.
But we are talking of art here, and art is life. It is communication.
Someone said 'a culture is as great as its dreams and its dreams are dreamt by artists'.
I have been involved in major rehabilitation programs against drugs and crime in my country. CCTVs, police, psychs... you name it; I am afraid do not actually reduce crime. It just pushes it a bit further down the road. The crime rates worldwide keeps climbing every year.
Art and culture however can and do affect people from the inside.
Give youth opportunities to learn an art form and you will reduce crime in the future. Like the children, the adults, in the practice of an art find their secret garden and a relief from today's stressful life. The elderly regain a sense of belonging.
Creation is what is best in each of us.
Hence, Art is probably the best efficient tool that we could have to improve quality of life in Forest Hill. We owe this to ourselves and to our kids.
The product of art is happy people; happy people make happy people – happy kids, happy partners, happy friends.
So I think that we should look around and think about what can be done with this fantastic opportunity offered to our village today.
Michael addresses us the people and asks us 'what would make you happy?'.
I happen to know Michael he is not a politician, he is not investor... he is a great artist.
From where I stand Michael, Forest Hill needs LIVE ART. Of course we can have some beautiful sculptures, some art schools, and all this.
But this area is DEAD. We don’t want it to be turned into a more pretty cemetery.
- Follow up is my earlier message - |
Rob
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Tuesday, 23 March, 2004 - 09:40 am: | |
I think too many people are missing the point of why this project has been implemented. Street art is an excellent way of improving the local environment. Without these much needed initiatives, businesses in Forest Hill will continue to fail. Michael's proposals are part of a wider strategic strategy agreed by Lewisham Council, the community and outside agencies. May I suggest that everyone on this section of the site concentrates on giving Michael constructive comments of what this art should look like. This project is going to happen and should be congratulated for its boldness. If we, as a community, continue to criticise genuine attempts to improve our environment then we'll only have ourselves to blame if it fails.
Live art is an excellent idea and should be encouraged. The Horniman is making great progress in this area. Clearly more needs to be done. But let's concentrate on Michael's brief and make sure his project works. We can then build on its success and attract more funding sources for future art projects. |
Michael Pinsky
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Thursday, 20 May, 2004 - 04:35 pm: | |
Dear Rob, Dom, Jim and everyone else on this forum if you could email me your address (michael@michaelpinsky.com), I will send you a map to mark down your ideas and I will come to Forest Hill and pick them up from you. Once I get all the maps back I will compile them on to an interactive CD artwork and I will send you all a copy of this.
I have enjoyed reading all your comments and I have been fighting to get things moving on the A205, but I tell you it isn't easy. I will carry on chipping away at TFL though. I have also come up with some ideas for the underpass, the pedestrian railway bridge and under the rail bridge that traverses the A205.
I do agree that we need live performance as well as both permanent and temporary artworks.
I look forward to hearing form you.
Best wishes
Michael |
ForestHill Billy
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Thursday, 03 June, 2004 - 07:49 pm: | |
Michael,
Sorry I've been slack getting back. Without doubt, my idea of a fountain........a big fountain slap, bang outside the front of Forest Hill Station, possibly to incorporate the indifferent gallery of trees, outshines all others. Lets have it illuminated, incorporating time(the trees) and life ( the illuminated water) welcoming all as they step into our neighbourhood. Evocations of the class of Italy. It sure beats statues. It celebrates life. |
johnnyb7
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Thursday, 03 June, 2004 - 09:33 pm: | |
Every now and again there is a fountain in Devonshire Road when the dodgy water mains there decide to rupture. We could save lots of money if the first person to notice the next gusher simply posted the fact on this site so that everybody could come round and have a look. We could put up coloured floodlights to show it off and have one of those antisocial firework displays that so enliven our Saturday/Sunday evenings. |
BrianK
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Saturday, 05 June, 2004 - 03:29 am: | |
The bit of Forest Hill that really needs a boost is Dartmouth Road by the library and pools. They are our most valuable resources and must be promoted.
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Michael Pinsky
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Thursday, 17 June, 2004 - 03:21 pm: | |
Dear Jonny and Forest Hill billy, I enjoy fountains too and I do like the idea of temporary 'found' fountains, will put ideas on my map. Hopefully soon I will be able to up-load it for everyone to view.
Best Wishes
Michael |
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