Jetty
Lead Research Organisation:
Newcastle University
Department Name: Sch of Arts and Cultures
Abstract
Sustainability is a disputed term and concept, interpreted and imagined differently according to local urban contexts and histories. Although the term is used extensively across academia, professional and popular debate, there are often conflicting and contradictory understandings, creating a barrier to wider adoption of 'sustainable development' strategies. Meanwhile, although environmentalism and climate change are established areas of interest in the fine art field more complex meanings and understandings of sustainability have not been fully explored within urban public art practice. As an interdisciplinary project that connects the debates of fine art and urban design, Jetty investigates how a contemporary public artwork can meaningfully contribute to the reshaping of this multi-layered debate. The project is developed as a collaboration between artist Wolfgang Weileder based at Newcastle University School of Arts and Culture, and urbanist Simon Guy, Director of the Architecture Research Centre at the University of Manchester, with additional project partners from the arts, heritage, education and business community.
At the heart of the Jetty project is the creation of a temporary large-scale architectural artwork integrated within the impressive wooden structure of Dunston Staithes, a landmark Scheduled Monument and Grade II structure on the south bank of the River Tyne in NewcastleGateshead.
In developing the project the academic partners will work closely with Tyne and Wear Preservation Trust, the owner of Dunston Staithes as part of its initiative to provide a long-term and sustainable future for the structure. The artwork will be constructed in collaboration with trainees and specialist staff from Newcastle College Construction Skills Academy and RBAU Sunderland, providing an innovative opportunity for skills exchange for the benefit of young people entering the construction industry.
Throughout its development and exhibition the Jetty artwork will be utilised as a catalyst for research and debate into local and professional meanings, interpretations and understandings of sustainability. Activity will focus on three distinct communities of interest considered to be at the centre of this discussion: the artistic community, including artists, commissioners and curators; urban professionals, including landscape and urban designers, architects, planners and policy makers; and members of the geographic community of NewcastleGateshead, including residents, community and local interest groups. Involvement of these groups will be achieved through a combination of focus groups, individual interviews, an international symposium, online activity, and as audiences for the public exhibition of the artwork.
The knowledge gained through this project will be widely disseminated to local, national and international audiences via a range of activities including: the site-specific installation at Dunston Staithes; the Jetty project website; an interdisciplinary symposium hosted by BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead; publication of the Jetty book; co-authoring of academic articles for high-impact and relevant research journals; presentations at national and international conferences for artistic and urban professional communities.
As a research project and case study, Jetty will benefit academics and practitioners working within the fine art, urbanism and heritage fields, providing new insights into the meanings, understanding and implications of sustainability across these different sectors. Through engagement with local communities and audiences in NewcastleGateshead Jetty will contribute to the cultural and social regeneration of the city, promoting it as a site for sustainable arts practice.
At the heart of the Jetty project is the creation of a temporary large-scale architectural artwork integrated within the impressive wooden structure of Dunston Staithes, a landmark Scheduled Monument and Grade II structure on the south bank of the River Tyne in NewcastleGateshead.
In developing the project the academic partners will work closely with Tyne and Wear Preservation Trust, the owner of Dunston Staithes as part of its initiative to provide a long-term and sustainable future for the structure. The artwork will be constructed in collaboration with trainees and specialist staff from Newcastle College Construction Skills Academy and RBAU Sunderland, providing an innovative opportunity for skills exchange for the benefit of young people entering the construction industry.
Throughout its development and exhibition the Jetty artwork will be utilised as a catalyst for research and debate into local and professional meanings, interpretations and understandings of sustainability. Activity will focus on three distinct communities of interest considered to be at the centre of this discussion: the artistic community, including artists, commissioners and curators; urban professionals, including landscape and urban designers, architects, planners and policy makers; and members of the geographic community of NewcastleGateshead, including residents, community and local interest groups. Involvement of these groups will be achieved through a combination of focus groups, individual interviews, an international symposium, online activity, and as audiences for the public exhibition of the artwork.
The knowledge gained through this project will be widely disseminated to local, national and international audiences via a range of activities including: the site-specific installation at Dunston Staithes; the Jetty project website; an interdisciplinary symposium hosted by BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead; publication of the Jetty book; co-authoring of academic articles for high-impact and relevant research journals; presentations at national and international conferences for artistic and urban professional communities.
As a research project and case study, Jetty will benefit academics and practitioners working within the fine art, urbanism and heritage fields, providing new insights into the meanings, understanding and implications of sustainability across these different sectors. Through engagement with local communities and audiences in NewcastleGateshead Jetty will contribute to the cultural and social regeneration of the city, promoting it as a site for sustainable arts practice.
Planned Impact
Beyond its academic beneficiaries Jetty will impact on three main communities of interest. These are broadly categorised as: (1) Artistic, including artists, commissioners, galleries, critics; (2) Urban professionals, including landscape and urban designers, architects, construction companies, training providers, and policy makers; (3) Geographic, including local residents, community groups, and arts audiences.
In what ways will the Jetty research project have cultural, social and economic impact on these communities?
(1) Artistic community:
1. Jetty will create a better understanding of sustainability issues in contemporary arts practice, stimulating further discussion and debate that will influence the development and realisation of future fine art projects and research.
2. Through its association with the Jetty project Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead will attract new audiences and develop its reputation in relation to sustainable contemporary arts practice.
3. Jetty will create a cross-disciplinary exchange between the arts, local community, urban professionals and public agencies.
4. Jetty will contribute to the sustainable cultural regeneration of the city of NewcastleGateshead, promoting it as a site for sustainable arts practice.
(2) Geographic community:
1. Audiences in NewcastleGateshead and the wider region will gain access to a new and high quality cultural experience through the public exhibition of the Jetty artwork.
2. Jetty will provide new temporary public access to Dunstan Staithes (the site for the Jetty artwork) and will highlight and test new regenerative uses for the structure directly benefiting local community and residents of NewcastleGateshead.
3. Jetty will raise the public profile of the Staithes as a heritage structure and through this will raise public awareness of the Tyne and Wear Building Preservation Trust and its important cultural and environmental role in conserving and regenerating local heritage.
4. The Jetty artwork will enhance community cohesion and quality of life by providing a new recreational and social facility for use by local residents and community groups and in doing so will provide a catalyst for the local community to reconsider connections between local identity and public heritage.
5. The project will have an impact on local people and organisations in NewcastleGateshead by involving them directly in the investigation and discussion of sustainability issues through engagement with the Jetty artwork and the research process (e.g. focus groups, symposium).
(3) Urban professionals:
1. The Jetty project will generate new connections between the professional construction industry and higher and further education organisations.
2. Jetty will provide a platform for innovative forms of skills exchange, developing the practical knowledge of participating construction trainees from Newcastle Construction Skills Academy and enhancing their future employment opportunities.
3. Jetty will contribute to professional and public policy discussions around the complex issues of sustainability and its application within the urban context.
4. The Jetty project will provide a high profile test-bed for sustainable construction methods and materials and will raise industry awareness and understanding of sustainability issues, and their varied applicability according to place.
5. Jetty will increase the professional and commercial reputations of project partners through their association with innovative arts practice and a high profile academic research project.
6. Jetty will provide collaborating companies and suppliers with an innovative showcase for marketing and promoting their products and services, and the opportunity to increase their own network of contacts within the sustainability arena.
In what ways will the Jetty research project have cultural, social and economic impact on these communities?
(1) Artistic community:
1. Jetty will create a better understanding of sustainability issues in contemporary arts practice, stimulating further discussion and debate that will influence the development and realisation of future fine art projects and research.
2. Through its association with the Jetty project Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead will attract new audiences and develop its reputation in relation to sustainable contemporary arts practice.
3. Jetty will create a cross-disciplinary exchange between the arts, local community, urban professionals and public agencies.
4. Jetty will contribute to the sustainable cultural regeneration of the city of NewcastleGateshead, promoting it as a site for sustainable arts practice.
(2) Geographic community:
1. Audiences in NewcastleGateshead and the wider region will gain access to a new and high quality cultural experience through the public exhibition of the Jetty artwork.
2. Jetty will provide new temporary public access to Dunstan Staithes (the site for the Jetty artwork) and will highlight and test new regenerative uses for the structure directly benefiting local community and residents of NewcastleGateshead.
3. Jetty will raise the public profile of the Staithes as a heritage structure and through this will raise public awareness of the Tyne and Wear Building Preservation Trust and its important cultural and environmental role in conserving and regenerating local heritage.
4. The Jetty artwork will enhance community cohesion and quality of life by providing a new recreational and social facility for use by local residents and community groups and in doing so will provide a catalyst for the local community to reconsider connections between local identity and public heritage.
5. The project will have an impact on local people and organisations in NewcastleGateshead by involving them directly in the investigation and discussion of sustainability issues through engagement with the Jetty artwork and the research process (e.g. focus groups, symposium).
(3) Urban professionals:
1. The Jetty project will generate new connections between the professional construction industry and higher and further education organisations.
2. Jetty will provide a platform for innovative forms of skills exchange, developing the practical knowledge of participating construction trainees from Newcastle Construction Skills Academy and enhancing their future employment opportunities.
3. Jetty will contribute to professional and public policy discussions around the complex issues of sustainability and its application within the urban context.
4. The Jetty project will provide a high profile test-bed for sustainable construction methods and materials and will raise industry awareness and understanding of sustainability issues, and their varied applicability according to place.
5. Jetty will increase the professional and commercial reputations of project partners through their association with innovative arts practice and a high profile academic research project.
6. Jetty will provide collaborating companies and suppliers with an innovative showcase for marketing and promoting their products and services, and the opportunity to increase their own network of contacts within the sustainability arena.
Organisations
- Newcastle University (Lead Research Organisation)
- Gateshead College (Collaboration)
- Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art (Collaboration, Project Partner)
- Contemporary Visual Arts Network (Collaboration)
- Lancaster University (Collaboration)
- R Bau Ltd (Collaboration)
- Mears Group (Collaboration)
- Tyne and Wear Building Preservation Trust (Collaboration)
- Layher (Collaboration)
- Rbau (Project Partner)
- Tyne & Wear Building Preservation Trust (Project Partner)
- Newcastle College (Project Partner)
Publications
Connelly A
(2016)
Catalyst: reimagining sustainability with and through fine art
in Ecology and Society
Weileder W
Jetty Project: Art and Sustainability
| Title | Bridge |
| Description | Bridge is a conceptual artwork looking at the spanning of the burnt out gap of the Dunston staithes, addressing how the structure can be reconnected through a temporary scaffolding built over the gap section. |
| Type Of Art | Artwork |
| Year Produced | 2014 |
| Impact | Bridge initiated the conversations between the scaffolding manufactures Layher, through their Scottish branch, the scaffold company rBau, structural engineers, and the other core partners of the project to develop approaches to intervening in the Staithes structure to produce the project artworks. Bridge tested the aesthetic and technical options of spanning the burnt out section of the Staithes, implementing structural developments and sparked debates around how the gap can be addressed through contemporary building and structural technologies. Future use of the structure was proposed and the feasibility of reconnecting the parts of the Staithes structure were explored. Based on the ideas an concepts that have been developed through the artwork, the Tyne and Wear Building Preservation Trust is currently investigating solutions that would allow new uses of the Dunston Staiths. A key aspect is how the potential bridging of the gap would enable a new reading of the site and provide a platform for a interaction and engagement with industrial heritage of the region. |
| URL | http://jetty-project.info/bridge/ |
| Title | Cone |
| Description | Cone is a new artwork situated on the Dunston Staiths, a landmark Scheduled Monument and Grade II structure on the south bank of the River Tyne in Newcastle Gateshead. Cone is the first large scale installation piece that has been developed from the Jetty Project: Art and Sustainability a collaborative research investigation funded by the AHRC and coordinated by Newcastle University and Manchester University. At 9m high and 7m diameter Cone takes as it's aesthetic influence the shape of the bottle kilns of the the industrial north east. |
| Type Of Art | Artwork |
| Year Produced | 2014 |
| Impact | Soft Launch Event International Symposium at BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art Newcastle Engagement with local colleges and students to install artwork Public Summer Events Programme Community Engagement through workshops/events |
| URL | http://jetty-project.info/art/cone/ |
| Title | GAP - exhibition at Gibside |
| Description | This is a solo exhibition of GAP at Gibside, a National Trust property in North East England. Thee exhibition has been extended until March 2023 due to popular demand. |
| Type Of Art | Artistic/Creative Exhibition |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | The exhibition of GAP is the centre piece of a discourse on Heritage at Risk at the National Trust site Gibside. The display features also the Jetty research project and other outcomes of Jetty. |
| Title | Gap |
| Description | Scale reproduction of the burnt out section of the Staithes as an art installation, to be hosted in a significant publicly accessible space in Newcastle/Gateshead area. Gap was exhibited in Rottweil, Germany in 2016 as part of a group exhibition at the Erich Hauser Foundation. |
| Type Of Art | Artwork |
| Year Produced | 2014 |
| Impact | Collaborative working - Architecture Timber working skills for architecture students |
| URL | http://jetty-project.info/gap/ |
| Title | Gap - Maquette |
| Description | Gap - Marquette is a 1:10 model of the missing section of the Dunston Staiths timber construction. As a separate artwork it will be shown in a forthcoming exhibition in Newcastle in 2016 (tbc). |
| Type Of Art | Artwork |
| Year Produced | 2016 |
| Impact | This work was key in the development of the large scale work Gap. |
| Title | Über alle Maßen |
| Description | Group exhibition at the Kunststiftung Erich Hauser in Rottweil, Germany. The exhibition included GAP one of the artwork outputs of the Jetty project. |
| Type Of Art | Artistic/Creative Exhibition |
| Year Produced | 2016 |
| Impact | This intentional exhibition has attracted more than 500 visitors. |
| URL | http://erichhauser.com/kunststiftung-erichhauser/node/422 |
| Description | The project's aim was to investigate how a fine-art led research project can catalyse debates around the meaning of sustainability in the urban realm. We placed a particular emphasis on suitability and heritage, alongside the three main pillars of sustainability, through three large-scale artworks, one public, one gallery based and one unrealised conceptual work on and around the Dunston Staithes. The multi-layered conception and realisation of these works acted as a productive generator of discourses related to the history, present and future of activity around this structure, and contributed to the reimagining of the potentials around disused infrastructures and their long-term futures. This has had direct results in the contribution to establishing funding for the long-term future of part of the structure, and in particular the dissemination of complex discussions and analysis through our project publication, Catalyst. During the course of the funded research we have been able to identify and extend our relationships with collaborators and to form new research partnerships. In working with third party collaborators we have also identified important new research resources. The Jetty-Project has facilitated a new research partnership between the School of Arts and Cultures, Newcastle University and the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Lancaster University. We are currently planning to continue and extend this new partnership with further joint research projects and grant applications. As well as attracting a significant amount of financial and in kind support from both the cultural sector and the building industry the project has enabled new partnerships which have significantly contributed to the research. Due to the nature of this project and the large-scale art installations that we have conceived of and installed, we have been able to develop our skills and methodologies with regards to collaborating with other educational institutions such as local Further Education Colleges. |
| Exploitation Route | In order to take our findings forward and be put to use by others the project needs to be fully disseminated. We anticipate this at and beyond the project completion date, through both publications and future exhibitions. Dissemination through the book Catalyst has begun, with copies sent to major regional, national and international art, heritage and sustainability organisations, and we envisage the findings and lessons taken from the project to be absorbed and implemented in the continuing academic, practice and public debates around this research area. |
| Sectors | Communities and Social Services/Policy,Construction,Creative Economy,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
| URL | http://www.jetty-project.info |
| Description | Our project can already demonstrate economical and societal impact. Through our research initiative the Tyne and Wear Building preservation Trust (TWBPT) was awarded approximately 500K from the HLF to restore the Dunson Staiths as a direct result of their relationship the Jetty Project. Over the next two years parts of the Dunston Staiths will be reconstructed and made accessible to the general public, with part of the Staithes recently made publicly accessible for the first time in decades. TWBPT are further planning to continue a cultural programme of events on the staiths that has been directly initiated by this research project. Working with TWBPT and other key partners from the industry and education sector have allowed for access to new audiences and stakeholders that we would not necessarily have been able to reach without these links. Identifying local colleges as a resource for mutual skills exchange and collaboration, has allowed us to provide opportunities for local students to engage with our research and ideas and concepts of sustainability. Furthermore participating students have directly benefited from the project by developing their educational learning outcomes/portfolios i.e. onsite experience and professional mentoring. We are expecting further direct impacts from the project as we continue to disseminate our research and engage with the local community and cultural sector. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2014 |
| Sector | Construction,Creative Economy,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
| Impact Types | Cultural,Societal |
| Description | BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art symposium partners |
| Organisation | Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Host organisation for symposium at the BALTIC centre Contributed to Contemporary Visual Arts Network (CVAN) North East (BALTIC based) film production |
| Collaborator Contribution | Supported provision for conference and event space for Jetty-Project symposium Support of production of artist film on Jetty-Project research and artwork |
| Impact | International symposium engaged with a large audience of professionals and members of the public to engage in debate around the role of public art and the sustainability agenda. Symposium event and related papers, presentations and audio recordings, available on the Jetty-Project.info website Short artist film documentary hosted on CVAN North East website |
| Start Year | 2012 |
| Description | Contemporary Visual Arts Network film production |
| Organisation | Contemporary Visual Arts Network |
| Department | North East Contemporary Visual Arts Network |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Contribution to the arts culture of the North East, through giving the projects time and access to studios and artwork |
| Collaborator Contribution | Production of a short documentary film on the research and artwork outputs of the Jetty-Project. Dissemination of this film on the Contemporary Visual Arts Network North East's website |
| Impact | Short documentary film on CVAN North East website |
| Start Year | 2014 |
| Description | Gateshead College Cone Art Installation |
| Organisation | Gateshead College |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Close working with Gateshead College on apprentice involvement in artwork production. Direct engagement with apprentices with our research team, including an introduction to contemporary art practice in the context of the artwork Cone. Our research team conducted formal and informal interviews with apprentices on their expectations, experiences and involvement in the construction of Cone. They also conducted research into links to the area from apprentices and staff from the college, and recorded the process of construction and deconstruction of the artwork by the college apprentices. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Cone artwork construction training of apprentices at the College. Construction of the artwork by apprentices provided by the College. Material use training, material preparation for construction and construction process development. Provision of storage and fabrication facilities for the artwork preparation. |
| Impact | Engagement of local apprentice students in the construction of a large scale public artwork. Construction of a large-scale public artwork - Cone. Training and education in material use, sustainable practice and contemporary art. |
| Start Year | 2013 |
| Description | Lancaster Project Partners |
| Organisation | Lancaster University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | This is our joint academic partner (formerly Manchester University). The AHRC funded research project is a collaboration between Newcastle University (project leader) and Lancaster University (formerly Manchester University). Newcastle University are leading the project and managing the delivery of the artistic output of the project. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Lancaster University (now Manchester University) are leading on the social sciences research on the project, including community engagement activities and background research into the social, cultural and historical contexts of the project area (Dunston, Gateshead). |
| Impact | All the outcomes are listed on research fish. These include: |
| Start Year | 2013 |
| Description | Layher Gmbh. Cone Construction |
| Organisation | Layher |
| Country | Germany |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Opportunity to engage with the production of a large scale public artwork. Local and national publicity, and local press coverage. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provision of design for scaffold construction. Provision of scaffold for construction and deconstruction of Cone artwork. |
| Impact | Design drawings for construction of Cone artwork. Construction of Cone artwork |
| Start Year | 2013 |
| Description | Mears Group Cone Art Installation |
| Organisation | Mears Group |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Liaison and execution of Cone Art installation |
| Collaborator Contribution | Project management of site and liaison with other project partners |
| Impact | Cone installation. Mears group managed and installed the first artwork - Cone - of the Jetty-Project, enabling a cross collaboration, training apprentices from Gateshead College in using contemporary sustainable materials and engagement with system scaffolding techniques. The collaboration also involved team working, project delivery and safe working techniques on complex and risky structures. |
| Start Year | 2014 |
| Description | Tyne and Wear Building Preservation Trust |
| Organisation | Tyne and Wear Building Preservation Trust |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Project proposal used as a catalyst/match for HLF funding bid by Tyne and Wear Building Preservation Trust Production of publicity material(s) and engagement activity to raise profile of the restoration work being undertaken on the Staiths by Tyne and Wear Building Preservation Trust |
| Collaborator Contribution | Support in kind of staff and venues for community activity. Provision of access and use of the Dunston Staiths for art work installation and resulting activities. Liaison with local authority and other professional and cultural bodies to enable/enhance research activity. |
| Impact | Project Launch International Symposium Cone - Art Installation Summer Activities Programme |
| Start Year | 2013 |
| Description | r.Bau Ltd Cone Art Installation |
| Organisation | R Bau Ltd |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Engagement of rBau with innovative design and development of complex structures. Opportunity to provide employees with training on working in complex and risky structures. Local and national publicity and local press coverage. Opportunity to strengthen ties of local community. Opportunity to grow relationship with international scaffolding fabrication and design company, Layher, on an innovative and visible project. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Design and construction of essential scaffold core for erection of Cone. Exposure to innovative system scaffolding techniques for apprentices. Supply of storage space for material of artwork post construction. |
| Impact | Training opportunity and engagement with construction students Successful installation of Cone artwork Ongoing storage of material of artwork. |
| Start Year | 2013 |
| Description | Book Launch Event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | In association with the launch of the book, Wolfgang Weileder gave a public talk at Lancaster University to a group of students, professionals and academics. The talk sparked much question and discussion afterwards. After the talk, a number of people highlighted their interest in reviewing the book and circulating it more widely. In addition, art students spoke of how it inspired them to think more creatively about engaging with environmental issues in their future work. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | Cone Opening Event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Launch event for the opening of Cone, with invited members of the local councils, arts organisations, local interest groups and local community groups. Queries regarding the project through Jetty website and further interest in the project and associated activities. An increased awareness of the Dunston Staithes as a specific heritage site, and an increased awareness of the debates around sustainability that the Jetty-Project is dealing with. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| URL | http://jetty-project.info/cone-launch-event/ |
| Description | Cone Press and Media |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Press release from Newcastle University to attract media coverage for the Jetty Project and the launch of Cone artwork Some public awareness of the artwork and associated impacts from the sustainability agenda. Noted through informal discussions with community members who had read the newspaper articles and gained an interest in the ideas behind the project. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| URL | http://www.thejournal.co.uk/news/north-east-news/new-sculpture-unveiled-listed-dunston-7372068 |
| Description | Gateshead College |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Gateshead College used the installation of the art work as training mechanism for students to develop practical skills. During the installation students gained first hand experience in project planning and site management, system scaffolding techniques, problem solving as well as the experience of working on a professional construction site. Students were also working for the first time with Aquadyne a new and innovative material used in construction. Students were encouraged to engage fully with the process and to engage with discussions and debates that were sparked by the making process. The students were actively engaged in the project thus widening their understanding of contemporary art, public art practice and academic research. The students gained a variety of transferable skills as listed above which will impact on their professional understanding and add to their employability portfolio. In particular using the recycled material Aquadyne engaged the students in new ideas around sustainability and the innovative use of recycled materials impacting on their wider understanding of environmental issues. The situation of the artwork on the Dunston Staithes also acted to generate interest in the structure and its heritage, with members of the apprentice team sharing memories of their families past on the structure, and local knowledge of its use and function with our researchers. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| URL | http://jetty-project.info/art/the-making-of-cone/ |
| Description | Jetty Project - Soft Launch |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | 35 people attended the launch event of the Jetty Project and stimulated discussion around the start and purpose of the Jetty Project. Population of the Jetty Project database to enable attendees to be kept updated and be involved with the project. Awareness of the issues of the project raised amongst key stake holders and local community interest groups. Awareness of the Jetty Project and its core questions raised in Journal (North East newspaper) article, published in December 2013, following soft launch. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| URL | http://jetty-project.info/jetty-project-soft-launch/ |
| Description | Jetty Project Summer Events Programme |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The Summer 2014 Events programme included a number of public events around the Cone artwork including: 3 July Preview/Launch 17 July Sustainability Cafe 23 August A Better Noise & Jetty-Project present: John Butcher 28 August Bird watching at the Cone 6 September A Better Noise & Jetty-Project present: Rhodri Morgan 3 July - Preview/Launch: The Cone launch event attracted local and regional groups including residents/artists/urban professionals who attended the launch event and participated in guided tours of the artwork that raised the profile of the continuing work on the Dunston Staiths. 17 July - Sustainability Cafe: This engaged with local practitioners and members of the public in an on-site discussion of the role of sustainability, art and the urban environment. This led to increased discussions around the questions of sustainability and public art. 23 August - A Better Noise & Jetty-Project present: John Butcher; 6 September - A Better Noise & Jetty-Project present: Rhodri Morgan: These events had a significant impact for both the Jetty-Project and A Better Noise (a Newcastle based sound art collaboration), with A Better Noise having their first sold-out event. The two events had positive feedback from audience members, and led to the production of a series of audio recordings that will be released in the new year. The events also had the impact of creating an ongoing relationship between A Better Noise and Tyne and Wear Building Preservation Trust to carry out future events, as well as future collaborations with members of the research team. This also had the impact of providing access for the first time to many local residents, with people recounting their stories of previous encounters with the structure. 28 August - Bird watching at the Cone: this had the impact of providing access to the Staithes for the first time for many local residents, as well as raising awareness, through collaboration with Durham Wildlife Trust, of the special conditions for birds around the area, and the ongoing activities to ensure a sustainable habitat for wildlife. August & September, Artist Tours of Cone: Again, these gave an opportunity for the public to access the structure for the first time, and also resulted in an increased awareness of the structures importance in local, national and international industrial heritage, with visitors engaging with the ideas of sustainability and art as presented through these tours. For one visitor at least, this was the first time she had engaged with the structure as a site of significant industrial heritage, and changed her perception of its value to the area and more widely. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| URL | http://jetty-project.info/cone-summer-events/ |
| Description | Jetty Project Symposium |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | 60 people attended an international symposium which sparked debate around the Jetty Project and artwork and the regeneration of the the Dunston Staiths. National and international speakers presented work that related to the themes of sustainability and the urban realm. Space for debate and discussion were opened up recorded, and discussions and presentations are available on the Jetty Project website for download. Local residents requested access to and showed an interest in involvement in the artwork(s). Knowledge of and interest in the Staithes structure were increased in the national and international speakers and guests present. Ideas for future collaborations were suggested from leading architects and artists. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| URL | http://jetty-project.info/symposium/overview/ |
| Description | Jetty Project Website |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The website produced has been developed and used as platform for dissemination and documentation of our research activities and artistic outputs. Using the website to communicate current news events, tying into social media networks, such as our Twitter account, we have engaged with local and national communities of interest. Comments have been posted to the website, responses to the artwork have been shared on Twitter, and we have been able to use these platforms to inform and encourage the debates around the artwork, sustainability and the future of the Staithes. Debates on Twitter have been held between local community members over the value of the artwork in the public domain, and its role in debates around sustainability. The idea of sustainability and art has been directly raised on the Twitter streams, and we have used the platform of the website to encourage engagement in events directly associated with the project. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| URL | http://jetty-project.info/art/the-making-of-cone/ |
| Description | Transfer-Laban Press |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Press release and media promotion/marketing by Locus+ and Canary Wharf Group to attract media coverage for the Transfer-Laban Installation. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| URL | http://group.canarywharf.com/media/press-releases/wolfgang-weileder-transfers-the-facade-of-the-laba... |
| Description | Walking Tour - Professional Society |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Following the publication of the walk, it has been shared over 100 times. The north-east branch of the Royal Geographic Society have asked Angela Connelly to undertake a special guided tour for its members. The public website has also provided feedback of how the walk changed people's appreciation of the landscape. Comments collated by the RGS through the Discovering Britain website show that people who have undertaken the walk gain a different appreciation of the landscape. For example, comments include: "I thought I knew Gateshead well until I did this walk. From the new (Millennium Bridge) through the old (abandoned village at Clasper), back to the new (South Bank Housing Estate) and back to the old (the Dunston Coal Tidal Basin), the walk takes you through over a century of history right up to the present day showing you parts of Gateshead many of you would never know existed without the walk!" (Chris Speight, Leeds) |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| URL | http://www.discoveringbritain.org/walks/region/north-east-england/gateshead.html |