Dreaming Arts
glitter house
Proposal for Interactive, Public Art Installation
Transforming five derelict Victoria terraced houses opposite the bus station in Guildford into The Glitter Houses
My passion for public art installations really began in 2005 when I first heard of the proposed redevelopment for the centre of Guildford. I had ideas for temporary art installations to be featured during the redevelopment: these kinetic, audio and static temporary public artworks would attract visitors to Guildford during the months of disruption. My concepts for this was awarded the Arts Plus 07 Award, from the Arts Council South East and the South East of England Development Agency (SEEDA). But when the redevelopment was shelved I put these ideas on the back burner even though people said nice things about my plan (see quotes).
All Change in 2012
Part of the redevelopment has now been revived, so I am revisiting my one big idea and talking to the owners of the terraced houses (who also own the Friary Shopping Centre) and the Guildford Borough Council about:
The Glitter Houses
Location: These are the facades of the five derelict Victorian terraced houses on Commercial Road, directly opposite the old bus station in Guildford. The bus station will be moved to a site nearer the train station and these buildings will be demolished.
The last, pink terraced house can be seen opposite one of the bus shelters. The buildings next to them will also be demolished.
The Installation:
This installation would be in place sometime before the buildings are to be demolished. The installation can be viewed and interacted with from the open area in front of the side entrance to the Friary Shopping Centre, as below. The Gitter Houses are to the right of this road, down by the buses. The eventual demolition of the terraced houses will be part of the installation experience.
It is proposed that the front facades, front roof, chimneys and long side wall be prepared and sprayed with white emulsion and industrial crystal glitter. Larger pieces of glitter on small springs laid on the roof will give a shimmering effect even on the brightest days. At night, these glittering facade will be lit up with lasar and gobo lighting.
It is proposed that computers with back projection, digital screens would be installed behind the upper windows and images would ‘run’ across the windows. There would be an integration of light and image with data synchronisation via an off site media server and website transmissions.
There would be animated projections on the ground floor aluminium doors and windows coverings. The participating and viewing public contribute to projected images and choose different kinetic images via mobile phones and other means.
The demolition itself would be a major attraction and part of the entertainment experience. It is envisioned that bricks would be collected and used in fund raising and marketing.
The Glitter Houses offers an exciting and high profile contribution to Guildford life, invites participation and uplifts the spirits during months of redevelopment upheaval.
We can visualise your project assisting the creation of a more positive identity for Guildford town centre by engaging the community through visually brightening the space, creatively through active participation with the community, economically through positive communication with existing businesses, and enhancing the town…We share your aspiration that artwork placed on the terrace houses will encourage people to discover art placed within the town as part of your project. We hope this will provide a greater sense of well being and inclusion during the development process and create goodwill among city centre businesses.
I am very supportive of such a scheme of public artworks that will be installed in and around the redevelopment of the Friary Shopping Centre, especially as it is envisaged that the project will involve the work of a number of different artists… The concept of putting artwork into an area that will be disrupted for three years is an imaginative one and should make the public look on the site in a different and more positive way than would otherwise be the case. The project, being designed to be fully inclusive, involving special needs groups, children and the elderly, is also to be applauded.
Being responsible at Guildford Borough Council for enhancement works in the public realm, we are currently being challenged as to how this can be achieved in the North Street area, particularly during the forthcoming construction period of the major Friary Extension development. Your project will provide considerable opportunities to add value to any enhancement works carried out in this area, and as well; we share the objective of involving the local community.
Head of Environmental Policy & Design, Guildford Borough Council
Town Centre Manager, Guildford Borough Council
Senior Marketing Manager with an International Corporation, Head Office - Guildford
