Rich White: Place, Space and Identity 3

Diary for the artists' project in Stoke-on-Trent.

07
September 
2011

Posted by Rich
Information News Work

Platform 4 Completed

I did a few alterations yesterday. Just drawing the mesh back a bit from the plinth.

Also, the plants arrived. So now it is complete, and open to the public until 23 September.


03
September 
2011

Posted by Rich
Information News Work

Install Day Four

Day four saw the completion of the mesh wrapping.

On Tuesday the planting arrives - eight long rectangular planters which will line the edges of the deck, adding some colour and more greenery.

02
September 
2011

Posted by Rich
Information News Work

Install Day Three

Got stuck in to the wrapping on day three.

And built the bench.

31
August 
2011

Posted by Rich
Information News Work

Install Day Two


On day two the scaffolders all but finished the structure, with just a few details left to take care of tomorrow.


And then Gary and his team from North West Synthetic Surfaces turned up and laid the grass in a flash.

30
August 
2011

Posted by Rich
Information News Work

Install Day One

The first day of installing.
I planned on being here by 11.30am. However, there was a fire on a freight train just north of Milton Keynes and my train was delayed for two hours! Fortunately the scaffolders don’t really need my help so they could just get on with it.

After the first day the scaffolding structure is almost complete.

And this is how close you’ll be able to get to Josiah Wedgwood.

26
August 
2011

Posted by Rich
Information News Work

Installation Time

Installation begins on Tuesday 30th August and will take about four days. Look out for A & A Scaffolders, North West Synthetic Surfaces and me.

18
August 
2011

Posted by Rich
Information News Work

Promotion

Due to new information (and this is a hint to why it is titled such) my work for Winton Square is now called ‘Platform 4’.

14
August 
2011

Posted by Rich
Information News Work

It’s Called ‘Platform 4’

I have been mulling over a title for my work for PSI3 for some time. Top of the list were things like ‘Look Me In The Eyes’ or ‘Eye To Eye’. I was also looking at quotes from Wedgwood to see if anything resonated there, but nothing really stood out.

Yesterday I was having lunch with my partner and discussing titles for the work when she suggested the idea that led to the title I have chosen. That title is ‘Platform 4’.

5 bonus points to the person that can tell me what that idea was.

11
August 
2011

Posted by Rich
History Information

Quote

‘Beautiful forms and compositions are not made by chance, nor can they ever, in any material, be made at small expense. A composition for cheapness and not excellence of workmanship is the most frequent and certain cause of the rapid decay and entire destruction of arts and manufactures.’
Josiah Wedgwood

03
August 
2011

Posted by Rich
Information News Work

...And Another

I suppose I should tell you a little about the work?
This has been inspired mainly by the reactions I’ve heard to the statue of Josiah Wedgwood. Some people feel that he is a great symbol of Stoke-on-Trent and its industrial heritage. Others are less glowing in their reports of his affect on the City - ‘he sold us out’ was one particularly strong response, referring to the collapse of the industry and closure of many potteries. Was Wedgwood himself to blame for this? It could be argued that the systems and business models he put in place paved the way for the ever-more cost-saving exercises utilised in the industry. Whether he foresaw this - and welcomed it - is another matter.
The platform gives people the opportunity to stand eye-to-eye with Wedgwood. If you like and/or revere him it will give you the chance to get closer to him. If you don’t like him it will place you both on the same level, as opposed to him being on a pedestal and you having to look up to him (and him looking down on you).
It is my intention that the deck behind the statue will be made into a pleasant place to sit - with seating and maybe some planting?

 1 2 3 >

This website is maintained by Rich White. Texts are views of the respective authors © 2011

PSI3 is delivered by Fierce Earth and Gemma Thomas for RENEW North Staffordshire, Arts Council England and Stoke-on-Trent City Council.