Skylarks, Rottingdean, East Sussex
Skylarks Development, Rottingdean,
Year
2023-2024
Client
Brookworth Homes and Stonewater
Services
Commission Management
Location
Rottingdean, East Sussex
In the Company of Others - a site-specific permanent commission
We have been appointed by Brookworth Homes to commission an artist for a new permanent artwork for the benefit of the residents of this new housing development on the edge of Rottingdean, a village to the east of Brighton & Hove.
Three artists have now been shortlisted and will be provided with a full brief and a fee of £500 to outline their initial approach to present to the selection panel in January.
“To support and inspire communal connections for all generations of residents, artists are invited to interpret the idea of In the Company of Others as an intervention (or series of interventions) within the site where residents can spend time outside of their homes and to meet with other residents.”
Curatorial Concept - In the Company of Others
In a world where technology has reshaped the dynamics of human interaction, In the Company of Others reflects on the enduring importance of real-world connections with both the community we live amongst and the environment that surrounds us. There is a long history of gathering spots serving as places for storytelling, knowledge sharing, and social bonding – they strengthen the social fabric by reducing isolation and promote understanding among community members of diverse backgrounds to connect, share experiences, and build relationships.
In the Company of Others invites artists to consider opportunities for an artwork, or series of artworks, that will serve as a catalyst for social interactions that are accessible, informal, and inclusive and encourage the residents of the Skylarks housing development to engage with one another, spark spontaneous conversations, stimulate shared observations and explore the power of unity that emerges when people share their joys, sorrows, and aspirations.
“Proposals might consider social and functional structures bringing people together, contemplative spaces, playful elements.”
The Commission
This will be a permanent commission and the panel is open to proposals in any medium but is looking for an innovative solution which will augment the landscaping and/or the public realm with a creative artistic input which responds to the curatorial concept. The client is keen for the artwork to be located within an area of paving in the centre of the development creating a focal point, or be a series of elements across the site.
The successful artist will need to manage the design, fabrication and installation of their artwork. The public art consultants are only appointed until the artist is selected.
Following the open call, a shortlist of three artists will be sent a more detailed brief and invited to outline their approach and present this to a selection panel.
For more information on the Skylarks development see here.