Why is there a lot of new graffiti on Sydenham High Street?

[Rachael]

Presumably this is all just temporary and it will be removed at the end of the festival?

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

I think that's a very good point, Mary. There is a huge difference between permanent art installations (like the mosaic on the Sydenham Centre) and temporary works as part of a festival. With the latter I think there is much less requirement for consultation and more scope for innovation. It won't all work, and it won't all be popular, but if it is temporary and used effectively to promote debate, that's a good thing. I don't like all the graffiti works, but then again I don't like the mosaic and there wasn't a big public consultation about that, despite the fact that it is permanent. Similarly, I don't like Northern Soul so I wasn't at all tempted by last week's pop-up club night. Doesn't mean I would want to stop other who do like it from enjoying the event.

For me, an evaluation of SEE3 will centre around whether they have been effective in kick starting regeneration of our high streets, not whether I personally like everything they've done. I hope we can find a balance between letting them get on with it and holding them to account.

[marymck]

Presumably this is all just temporary and it will be removed at the end of the festival?

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

I think that's a very good point, Mary. There is a huge difference between permanent art installations (like the mosaic on the Sydenham Centre) and temporary works as part of a festival. With the latter I think there is much less requirement for consultation and more scope for innovation. It won't all work, and it won't all be popular, but if it is temporary and used effectively to promote debate, that's a good thing. I don't like all the graffiti works, but then again I don't like the mosaic and there wasn't a big public consultation about that, despite the fact that it is permanent. Similarly, I don't like Northern Soul so I wasn't at all tempted by last week's pop-up club night. Doesn't mean I would want to stop other who do like it from enjoying the event.

For me, an evaluation of SEE3 will centre around whether they have been effective in kick starting regeneration of our high streets, not whether I personally like everything they've done. I hope we can find a balance between letting them get on with it and holding them to account.

Hear, hear Rachael. Spot on.

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[louisecbrooks]

Whether the pieces are removed after the festival is down to the owners of the walls or shutters. But of course they can be removed at any time if the business owner chooses to do so.

FYI, the piece on the blue hoardings is part of a larger body of work by the artist Louis Masai to raise awareness of endangered species. The text on the work says Fire in Zulu as I understand it. We will have photographs of all pieces and a commentary as to the background of the work on the SEE3 website soon.

[art4]

Presumably this is all just temporary and it will be removed at the end of the festival?

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

I think that's a very good point, Mary. There is a huge difference between permanent art installations (like the mosaic on the Sydenham Centre) and temporary works as part of a festival. With the latter I think there is much less requirement for consultation and more scope for innovation. It won't all work, and it won't all be popular, but if it is temporary and used effectively to promote debate, that's a good thing. I don't like all the graffiti works, but then again I don't like the mosaic and there wasn't a big public consultation about that, despite the fact that it is permanent. Similarly, I don't like Northern Soul so I wasn't at all tempted by last week's pop-up club night. Doesn't mean I would want to stop other who do like it from enjoying the event.

For me, an evaluation of SEE3 will centre around whether they have been effective in kick starting regeneration of our high streets, not whether I personally like everything they've done. I hope we can find a balance between letting them get on with it and holding them to account.

Hear, hear Rachael. Spot on.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

On balance I think this is the constructive perspective to take

[leenewham]

I totally agree with Rachel. I'm not a fan of the majority of the artwork, it lacks any sort of context or belonging, especially the roller shutters (I personally hate the 'arrow' shutters in Basra Row). The big cheese on Aga's Deli in Forest Hill is great and right for the business. I was hoping that the shutters in Sydenham would follow suit with relevant design. Setting a design brief or theme for the shutters or artwork would be a good way of establishing a clear identity for the artworks. The design of the shutters is important for the business as well as the streetscape.

I totally support SEE3. It is the most important thing to happen to Sydenham in decades, it's at the right time with the changes to station approach and the paving. The change and momentum that has been generated is great.

But perhaps it's worth tweaking how things progress to make them a little more relevant and unique to the area?

It's worth looking at this project in Barking by Bread (who are brilliant):https://www.facebook.com/PaintTheTownBarking

Or this:

http://www.itsnicethat.com/articles/bre ... -have-ears

Or this for a place that recycles paint:

http://thedailybread.co.uk/frp-mural/

All the above are totally relevant design solutions, bespoke and right for application and place.

SEE3's achievements should be applauded. It's really difficult making stuff happen. We have found that even giving design away for free it's amazingly difficult to make change. We designed over 20 shops in Sydenham and numerous security shutters with only Billings, The Greyhound mural, The Jill Hub Signage and On The Hoof to our credit (new What If's coming soon though). In other areas it's the same story, only a small percentage of them actually happen unless they are funded 100% by the council. SEE3 has been a huge success in this regard. Even if you don't like everything that's been done, what matters is that people are taking notice of the high street, that change is happening and that new, exciting things are happening.

[art4]

Thanks for sharing those links Lee- it's pretty cool!