Thursday 16 October 2014

Democracy Street – Fratton pilot for national digital art project


Fratton-based artist Jon Adams will be working with local residents to create a new and unique digital artwork for a national exhibition commemorating an 800 year history of UK Parliamentary democracy.

Fratton Big Local are delighted that Fratton has been chosen to pilot Democracy Street, which will celebrate the UK’s democratic heritage.  Jon, who is a Research Fellow and Artist in Residence at the University of Portsmouth, will collaborate with commercial digital expert Joseph Cavalla to develop an interactive platform to create maps of the UK based on user-generated content as part of a major digital public arts project.  

Jon and Joseph will work with Fratton residents to upload content based on local street names synonymous with Parliament and democracy, such as Percival Road (Spencer Perceval, Prime Minister in 1809) and Ernest Road (Ernest Bevin, MP).

Fratton Big Local is contributing £2,000 of our funds to the Fratton project, which at a national level is being supported by the Arts Council England, the Houses of Parliament and The Speaker’s Arts Fund.

Jon, who is also a member of the Fratton Big Local Partnership, said: 

“I’m very proud to have been chosen as the first digital commission funded by the Houses of Parliament and The Speaker’s Art Fund to bring 'art to the heart' of our communities – it’s great to be able to evolve & shape both the project’s digital literacy & arts empowerment with Fratton Big Local ready for engaging nationally in 2015.” 


Jon was awarded a Fellowship to the Royal Society for the Arts for the quality of his public engagement and positive disability project, and is also a member of HEFCE Disability Working Group.

Portsmouth City Councillor Eleanor Scott, Independent Councillor for Fratton Ward and non-voting member of the Fratton Big Local Partnership said: 

"This project is a really exciting and creative way for people to think about their local politics and to get more involved. I'm pleased that Fratton is leading the way forward on this national programme and that we are able to announce it in Local Democracy Week 2014. We don't always think about the stories and history behind our streets, but this project will allow us to explore them in depth through an innovative approach supported by the local community.”

Contact

Fratton Big Local
Stuart Mills - Community Development Worker
07841 341 969

Portsmouth City Council
James Sandy – Communities Engagement Manager
023 9268 8559




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