Permanent Public Artwork
Client: ‘a space’ arts
I was sub-contracted by ‘a space’ arts to produce the public artwork ‘A History of Movement’ by Isabella Martin.
I managed the whole process from writing the initial artist brief, selecting the artist with ‘a space’ arts and Mountpark, working with the artist to develop the initial artwork proposal, engaging with the local community in Swaythling and managing the production and installation process.
Mountpark Properties Limited commissioned the work on the occasion of the redevelopment of the former Ford Factory site on Wide Lane in Southampton. Southampton City Council and Now Heritage through the community history project TRANSITion supported the commission.
The artwork consists of 20 polished steel signs running along Wide Lane and presents a history of movement at the former Ford Motors Factory Site by referencing actions that have taken place there over the last 11,700 years.
Each word is an action verb inspired by the long and varied history and is placed in chronological order to create a timeline that reflects this history and evokes the past uses of the site. The shape of the individual signs are inspired by the rounded rectangular front grill on the classic Ford Transit Van, the yellow posts of the signs match the machinery fencing used throughout the Ford Motors Factory, the font is inspired by the lettering on RAF aircraft first used here during World War II.
www.isabellarosemartin.co.uk
www.aspacearts.org.uk
www.nowheritage.org
