The ‘Many Words For Snow’ project has officially opened its doors to the public at the old O2 store at 53 Chantry Way, Andover, on Tuesday, January 6 which will run until January 31.
The creative hub invites the public to step inside and experience art in action, offering a space where the community can watch artists at work and take part in creative conversations.
Photographer and artist, Simon Peter Green, said: “I think the word we’re using is excited.
“It’s a fabulous opportunity that’s been given to us by the council and the management of the council and some supporters of the art community for us to engage and experiment with the local community.
“The intention is to do work so that the local community can see us and we can see them, and we can also engage with each other.
“It’s the kind of opportunity that artists don’t often get.”
The project is designed to blur the lines between artist and audience, demystifying the creative process and encouraging public interaction.
Visitors can expect to see artists developing new work in real time.
One example is an evolving art installation by artist and teacher Dr Laurence Dube-Rushby, whose concept will allow the work to emerge and transform during her time in the space.
Mr Peter Green is also using the space to develop a new project he calls ‘audio portraits’.
The work he is developing involves recording a person saying their name, then digitally deconstructing the audio to create a visual representation using light and sound.
The result, captured in a photograph, is what Mr Brewster calls an “audio portrait.”
He said: “It’s a way that humans can express themselves or express the environment in a way that’s beyond ordinary conversation.
“We’re looking to have meaningful conversations, creative conversations as they get the opportunity to see artists working and we get to talk about our work
“It’s a tricky one because, as an artist myself, I believe that everybody’s an artist, so part of it is convincing people that everybody’s creative.”
Test Valley Borough Councillor Iris Andersen said the hub is as much about fostering connections as it is about art.
She said: “With the artists being in here and where we’ve got the art college across the road, they are really good artists as well, the college artists can come into this space to talk and learn more about the art.
“The artists from the college and the things that they do, I’m absolutely astounded by what they actually do in artwork; this continuous exhibition could leave a long-lasting positive impact on these children.”
Mr Peter Green said: “We also have an idea to bring in all the art or creative teachers from around the area so that we can be in one room and discuss ways that we could work together and lean on one another to help each other, importantly to help the children to potentially start a network that can live on long after we leave.”
Mr Peter Green credited Test Valley Borough Council for making the project possible.
He said: “I think my biggest thing is thanking the council for the opportunity, we’re about positive action and we believe the council shares that.”
The public are welcome to visit the space, meet the artists, and become involved in the ongoing creative process.
Mr Brewster described it as “a fish tank,” saying visitors are often intrigued by seeing artists “swimming about” and working visibly in the community.
No Comment! Be the first one.