Build Magazine December 2015

Build Magazine 45 Architecture Harris’ integrated artworks include; services uniforms, pinafores, tools and a Butler’s sink which will be installed with further sculptures across the remaining phases of the development. Each location for the artworks has been chosen to, “…provide varying natural light… how it chang- es over a day will vary the clarity of each artwork,” states Harris. Iain Cochran of architects Hawkins Brown further adds, “Involving an artist on architectural schemes can bring many benefits to a project including a strong, unique identity and an opportunity for the building users to inhabit an environment in a subtle and personal way.” Each sculpture has been placed at a specific location around the development designed to increase legibility, identity and serve as navigational markers ‘creating a sculptural trail’. In addition to tangible artwork, More West had its very own Artist In Residence supported by amongst others Peabody, the V&A Museum, RIBA, and Haworth Tompkins. Constantine Gras was selected as the official Artist In Residence in part because of his existing community work having previously worked on the site at a former day care centre. For the duration of his seven month residency from 2014 to 2015, Constantine involved a range of media, “…exploring urban and social issues often working collaboratively with other artists and communities,” he states. Constantine’s brief, ‘to create art in response to the More West develop- ment and to connect this with both local residents and the museum’s architectural galleries’, inspired him to run 10 community events ‘based around architecture, housing and regeneration’. Run from either his studio looking over the development or the V&A, Gras’ projects included the screening of a film made in the local area in 1969 called Leo the Last, drawing events and displays of local historical maps and images. “I had extensive knowledge of the rich, complex social history of the area,” says Gras. “It was an extremely busy but rewarding time for me and it was a pleasure to be the Artist In Residence,” he adds. Over 1,700 people attended Gras’ V&A end of residency display ‘Vision of Home’. Both artistic enterprises at More West and St John’s Way have gone beyond visuals. They have taken to heart the social, cultural and historical influences of both areas and created interesting, creative and stand-out installations for not only residents to enjoy but the wider community and all passers-by. Sarah Butler, Director of Sales and Marketing at Peabody states, “We are really excited that these two developments have such interesting and inspired artworks as part of their final construction. Residents will not only be able to enjoy the benefits of fantastic living and communal space but can take pride in each developments artistic contribution.”