4 February 2009
New artworks by Bob and Roberta Smith and Faisal Abdu’Allah commissioned for Greenwich Peninsula
Two of the UK’s most exciting contemporary artists Bob and Roberta Smith and Faisal Abdu’Allah have been commissioned by Art on Greenwich Peninsula to create two new works for the art programme. The works are on display at Greenwich Peninsula from this week.
Internationally-acclaimed artist Bob and Roberta Smith’s striking new artwork entitled The Long Short Story Backwards or Lnog Sroht Sroty Brawkcads comprises a single line of text that runs, right to left, from one end of the hoardings down East Parkside, to the other. The hoardings are located alongside Central Park and are easily accessible from North Greenwich tube station.
The 150 metre long artwork operates as a puzzle. Understanding the text relies on the brain being able to read words where the letter order is jumbled but if the first and last letters of the word are correct. In addition to this, the sentence word order is reversed.
Faisal Abdu'Allah, has met with people living and working on the Peninsula to create an artwork called In the Same Place, based on the idea of local stories made up from quotes and poems. Quotes are from Penny Wright from The Pilot Inn and Brian Roberts, former Site Manager at Greenwich Peninsula.
The poem in the work was created by Lichtenstein Class 3 at Millennium Primary School with the writer Sarah Butler, as part of Almost an Island? a project which explored the Greenwich Peninsula through words and sound. It has been produced by UrbanWords and Spread the Word in collaboration with Art on Greenwich Peninsula.
Over the next ten years the Peninsula will be transformed to create a new business and residential district for London. The two artworks commissioned, by Art on Greenwich Peninsula respond to the regeneration process and the art in the public realm curatorial strategy. The aim of the artworks is to contribute to the social and physical identity of Greenwich Peninsula animating the public realm and creating a sense of place.
Moira Sinclair, Executive Director Arts Council England, London said:
“Cities and towns across the country continue to see dramatic change as they are regenerated and reinvented. But in all this, places need to hold on to a local identity and genuine sense of place and this sometimes can be a challenge. By commissioning artists Bob and Roberta Smith and Faisal Abdu-Allah, Greenwich Peninsula will benefit from unique works that reflect the individuality of the area, as well as the local people who live there. We are pleased that our funding has helped to make this possible and look forward to seeing the work.”
Bob and Roberta Smith commented: "The Long Short Story Backwards is....the longest art work in Europe. A funny and engaging puzzle. An honest story of anxiety over health. An exploration of Greenwich Peninsula influenced by people who walk through the city while talking on their mobile phones. A beautifully painted jumble of letters in which a story unfolds."
Faisal Abdu'Allah commented: “When I saw the finished piece I could hear the voices of the people I had spoken to, I felt their emotional connection with the space, reading the words which had now indelibly etched itself into this illuminated box, their words have crystallised the history and emotion of the location but primarily their engagement has made them the invisible ambassadors of the Peninsula."
The artworks are supported by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, Greenwich Peninsula Regeneration Limited and the Homes and Communities Agency.
-ENDS-
For further information, contact Robert Pine, 020 7531 2465 / 07950 413248 - Robert.Pine@hca.gsx.gov.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS
BOB AND ROBERTA SMITH
Bob and Roberta Smith lives and works in London. He is represented by Hales Gallery. Past shows at Hales have involved performances, a large installation made with personalised signs on scrap materials and wall based paintings on wooden panels. Smith's DIY approach appropriates the languages of folk, punk and the alternative protest movements to personalise political sloganeering.
Bob and Roberta Smith's work cannot be reduced to one genre. Often it takes the shape of hobbies; music, cooking or DIY which is then combined with a subversive humour. Bob and Roberta Smith attempts to demolish established values and respected authorities and like most humour it is to do with humiliation. Smith challenges the orthodoxies that you are taught at school which he believes beats the creativity out of you.
Bob and Roberta Smith thinks it's moral to be absurd and that embracing absurd things is somehow an area of sanity. Much of the work manifests itself in performance, with strong ideas of participation or of the participatory positions similar to those used by the Fluxus in the 1960's.
FAISAL ABDU’ALLAH
The artist Faisal Abdu’Allah presents a complex and challenging set of reference points for his work, beckoning the question of singularity and self-perception.
His strength and rigour is best exemplified in his collaborations over the years from the ‘Garden of Eden’ looking at issues of the privilege gaze working with David Adjaye and more recently the British East End Firm ‘gold finger’ looking at circles of loyalty.
Abdu’Allah’s work raises the language of street culture to iconic status by allowing himself and his audience to question the values represented, ultimately focusing on humanity rather than consumer symbolism.
Abdu’Allah was recently Artist in residence at the coveted Tate Britain Gallery London with his current piece ‘Wall of Nahnouh’ (until Sep 2008) he is also in collaboration with Christian Boltanski on a project called ’14 years in between’ due for 2009. Faisal was the recipient of the first prize at the Tallinn Print Triennial 2008. Faisal is a senior lecturer at University of East London.
He lives and maintains a studio in London
Art in the Public Realm Greenwich Peninsula
These two artworks form the last commission and mark the end of the first phase of the Art in the Public Realm Greenwich Peninsula programme.
The programme and the work of the art directors have been highly successful. A very positive reputation has been established by the programme and the intention is to develop and launch phase two of the programme as development on Greenwich Peninsula gathers momentum.
For future enquiries please contact Philippa Bloomfield, Regeneration Manager, Homes and Communities Agency: philippa.bloomfield@hca.gsx.gov.uk
Homes and Communities Agency (HCA)
The HCA is the single, national housing and regeneration agency for England. We bring together the development and regeneration expertise of English Partnerships, investment functions of the Housing Corporation, and the Academy for Sustainable Communities, with major delivery programmes of Communities and Local Government.
Our role is to create opportunity for people to live in high quality, sustainable places. We provide funding for affordable housing, bring land back into productive use and improve quality of life by raising standards for the physical and social environment.
During the next three financial years the HCA controls a budget of £17.3bn.
www.homesandcommunities.co.uk
Arts Council England works to get great art to everyone by championing, developing and investing in artistic experiences that enrich people's lives. As the national development agency for the arts, we support a range of artistic activities from theatre to music, literature to dance, photography to digital art, and carnival to crafts. Great art inspires us, brings us together and teaches us about ourselves, and the world around us. In short, it makes life better. Between 2008 and 2011, we will invest £1.3 billion of public money from government and a further £0.3 billion from the National Lottery to create these experiences for as many people as possible across the country.
www.artscouncil.org.uk