WALTHAM FOREST - Ways of Seeing

Ways of Seeing: A collaboration between Waltham Forest Council, Borough of Culture and the Government Art Collection in London. 
 

There has been much dialogue about providing wider access to art. Although we encounter public art and out-door projects during Biennales and art fairs and museums have become meccas for art worshippers with record visitor numbers. For example, in 2017/2018 the British Museum had 5.8 million visitors, Tate 5.9 million visitors and the V&A 4.3 million visitors. Nonetheless, it is legitimate to say that not everybody is interested in art and artefacts.

.... but let's not leave it there!

Waltham Forest, London's first Borough of Culture, made a bold move when it engaged in an innovative arts project aiming to display paintings, sculptures, time-based media installations and works on paper in schools, libraries, leisure centres, a hospital, an empty commercial unit in a shopping centre, and a riding lodge, all located within the borough.  The programme also included various talks and workshops. This ambitious scheme was supported by the Government Art Collection, which agreed to lend sixty-three artworks to twenty-eight venues within the Borough of Waltham Forest. Traditionally, the collection of the Government Art Collection is exhibited at Embassies and High Commissions across the world, but in this instance an exception was made and pieces from the collection were displayed closer to home.

What does it entail to deliver a project in this kind of context compared to displaying art in a museum, gallery, embassy or high commission? From a curatorial perspective the process remains unchanged. Artworks were selected, referencing the chosen venues, its stakeholders, local communities and historical associations. Tailored workshops for schools and talks at various venues were prepared and held by my esteemed colleagues from the Government Art Collection.

The core challenge of this endeavour was to work within the constraints of a non-museum environment. At the outset the borrower and lender had to be aware that the building conditions were not the same as the interiors and exteriors of a modern gallery or museum and different solutions had to be found and agreed to cover any deficits. In extreme circumstances, the venue was deemed unsuitable. 

Within no time, the art professionals from Waltham Forest Council and the Government Art Collection liaised and established a number of potential venues situated in the municipality. Meetings and site visits were arranged to discuss the choice of artworks, their interpretation, suitable events, logistics, insurance and loan agreements, along with environmental conditions, health & safety and security on the premises to be arranged. On several occasion the designated artworks had to be changed or moved to a different area because the light levels were too high. Solutions on offer included covering windows with blinds or using sun blocking materials to reduce the infiltrating daylight, without huge repercussions on budgets. The installation schedule of the artworks had to be carefully planned,  advice  notes  were  prepared  and  individuals  in charge of each venue were briefed on how to respond if damage or a disaster were to happen. In some instances, the response time of the contracted security services had to be adjusted to ensure adequate actions in the event of an incident. 

Indeed, the entire process was intense and time consuming, testing the patience and spirit of the teams. However, persistence and determination led to an outstanding result. After seven months of hard work the project was launched on the 24 April 2019. The former Arts Minister Michael Ellis said, "The Government Art Collection promotes the best of Britain to the world. The work on display in Waltham Forest has been chosen to reflect the diversity and creativity of the area. I am delighted that we can share these important cultural assets as we mark the first London Borough of Culture."  

But what made the project so special?  We were able to observe the reactions of people present during the installation, ranging from being curious to being mystified. At schools we were met with eagerness and questions by teaching staff, pupils and  students. The accompanying workshops and talks were highly anticipated and proved to be high impact events. Needless to say, the project succeeded in what it had set out to achieve – breaking down barriers and demystifying art. And we who worked on this mission enjoyed experiencing these reactions immensely. We are confident that we have inspired and encouraged other London boroughs to follow suit, and to have created key moments for individuals to explore and pursue their creativity.