NO TO THE MOSAIC ON THE NABORHOOD CENTRE

[JRobinson]

my personal view is that the first thing money should be spent on is changing the signage, and land registry details to spell the name correctly! **

I find it very annoying - is it supposed to be pronounced like neighbourhood? is it pronounced differently? Is there a local celebrated historical figure that it's named after?

I always pronounce it 'nabber hood' or 'nar bour hood' which I'm sure is wrong, but I just can't bring myself to call it the neighbourhood centre, when the spelling of it is so different!

I'm sure someone recently had a post explaining why it's called that, but I can't remember the details. to my mind, and I'm sure to 'outsiders' they will see the name and wonder how to pronounce it, maybe think that some council worker can't spell or something, and it just gives a really bad impression... and I don't think that a pretty mosaic on the wall will change this.

** Tongue not quite firmly in cheek!

[leenewham]

I believe the name will be changed to 'THE SYDENHAM CENTRE' in bronze cast letters as per this image JR.

[Tim Lund]

I'm with Lee on this.

When first mooted I remember talking privately to Lee about mosaics in the recesses of the bridge - which seem almost designed to frame durable public artwork such as a mosaic. One of the roundels on the current design is an image of the former canal, which would make a witty trompe l'oeil there. I also like the fact that this project comes from the enthusiasm of local couple who have some real appreciation of how a mosaic can work - evidenced by the work they have done in their church.

But the Naborhood Cente location seems very strained to me - and this now comes out in the rather desperate kitch of the kitten in a jug. I suspect that when committees and the local Assembly got involved, the project started to go wrong - and prevented anyone with a clear idea of how it might work being able to impose a coherent vision.

Re Thorpie's arguemnt #4 - well, yes, I guess it makes me feel uncomfortable too, although I first read it as just the sort of slightly cynical argument anyone might make to sway a planning officer, and discomfort did not register. But it does illustrate why coming to good decisions on public art once committees get involved is difficult.

Whatever happens to this proposal, I hope Sydenham residents will not blame the original proponents, who I feel should still have something to contribute to our public space - but not like this.

[Rachael]

The cat in the jug is a painting by Horatio Henry Couldrey, a famous Victorian animal painter born in Lewisham.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[JRobinson]

I must have missed that, thanks for pointing it out, and hurrah that the name is changing.

I think the mosaics are actually almost not that bad, but a bit dated already, before even going in.

[poppy]

Re" the cat in the jug", isn't this supposed to be the Sydenham Centre, not the Lewisham Centre?

Was the artist born in Sydenham? If not I really don't see the connection and such references should be left to any art the town hall itself might want.

[Robin Orton]

He appears to have lived in Addington Grove, Sydenham from 1875, presumably until his death in 1893 - see http://www.collinsantiques.co.uk/index.php?viewitem=340

[The Clown]

My objection has been r eceived by the council

[Robin Orton]

The proposed design does not achieve its stated intention of celebrating the history and achievements of Sydenham. It has a culturally inappropriate and insensitive focus on the work of a few white men. This is a multicultural and ethnically diverse area. It is especially disappointing to see this narrow view of history proposed for a public building which the council itself owns

.

Thorpie, my understanding is that the sponsors of the mosaic recognize that there is an issue here, and would be more than happy to incorporate elements which celebrate non-DWM aspects of Sydenham, if anyone came up with suitable ideas.

[Billie]

I think it's really important that we improve the look of our highstreet. I'm sure everyone involved in this conversation - on or off the forum - has the best interests of our community at heart. The big issue here is TASTE. I believe that if you are going to embark on a project like this, that will make a permanent mark on the highstreet, you need to involve professional architects/designers. People who know how to create something timeless and classic that won't date. I've seen the proposed design and it is not timeless or classic. It's twee and in some respects hilarious -the 'vingettes' in the circles look a bit like the pictures on 1970s chocolate boxes. A cat in a jug? I just don't get it really, so what if the artist lived in this area? It doesn't mean that the image is good! If Sam Fox had lived in Sydenham, would we also have her ample bosoms immortalised in mosaic? A simple refurbishment of the exterior of the building would be a better use of the money and anything left over could be spent on the facilities inside.

[poppy]

Here is the email address for objection, which is now buried in this thread:
planning@lewisham.gov.uk

Application number is DC/11/77128/FT

I do appreciate people trying to spruce Sydenham up but this really is misguided and will make us look like a laughing stock, the Catford Cat (cat in a jug), spring to mind! Sorry but this is how I feel.

Money would be better spent renovating the building and keeping it's original style.

There are better locations for a mosaic.

Please whoever is not happy with this lodge an objection. I would sign a petition if there was one....