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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