Brixton news, rumours and general chat: Summer - Autumn 2018

[discobastard]

As an approach to exploring text, ‘Come In Love/Stay In Peace’ constitute the provisional text for this project. It is a play on the common saying ‘Come in Peace’, coalescing the action of coming and going in Brixton, by playfully interpreting both sides and directions of movement as the ultimate act of approach. Undertones of ‘love’, ‘neighborliness’, ‘homecoming’ and ‘peace’ act as a potent reminder of Brixton as more than an area, but a community

I reckon that's a prime candidate for Pseud's Corner in Private Eye.

ETA: Gramsci didn't say that, but it's the quote he quoted, as it were.

 

[discobastard]

I reckon that's a prime candidate for Pseud's Corner in Private Eye.

ETA: Gramsci didn't say that, but it's the quote he quoted, as it were.

(I've chucked out my last copy of Private Eye - if anybody can send me the email to submit this to them I shall gladly do so - it's fucking nonsense)

 

[Gramsci]

I reckon that's a prime candidate for Pseud's Corner in Private Eye.

ETA: Gramsci didn't say that, but it's the quote he quoted, as it were.

I've looked at Resolve Collective website and think they have all the right intentions. I also think as a young "collective" they are on the right track. I met young people like this. What they are up against is ( in Lambeth) the revolting centre ground establishment. So no I wouldn't say they are candidate for Private Eye.

Tbh I really don't know what progressive minded young people in architecture/ urban design are supposed to do now.

The real scum are our New Labour Cllrs. Who set up these competitions to decorate our urban space. With a touchy feely middle ground multiculturalism. That fits in with the New Labour project.

 

[discobastard]

I've looked at Resolve Collective website and think they have all the right intentions. I also think as a young "collective" they are on the right track. I met young people like this. What they are up against is ( in Lambeth) the revolting centre ground establishment. So no I wouldn't say they are candidate for Private Eye.

Tbh I really don't know what progressive minded young people in architecture/ urban design are supposed to do now.

The real scum are our New Labour Cllrs. Who set up these competitions to decorate our urban space. With a touchy feely middle ground multiculturalism. That fits in with the New Labour project.

That's a very fair post Gramsci.

What they've written is nonsense, but it is expected in the current climate, where their role is to sell things to those that can create wealth in a area (however misguided that may be, and whether it is economically misguided in the short or long term). And there are differences in very short distances (Tulse Hill/West Norwood where I live is very different to Brixton).

It's still worthy of Pseud's Corner, no matter what their intention, but I can understand why it was written in the first place.

 

[discobastard]

The real scum are our New Labour Cllrs. Who set up these competitions to decorate our urban space. With a touchy feely middle ground multiculturalism. That fits in with the New Labour project.

That I agree with, but I doubt they are as organised as to follow a specific ideology. It's just following the money (which is much easier than ideology).

 

[editor]

https://www.resolvecollective.com/brixton-bridge/z3ivmf2njlfoyfmpkrjl3a5g0uuazd

Something Resolve Collective could have done with the Brixton bridge is celebrate how the community of the time fought racist police. The 81 riot. Or Uprising as some call it.

I was there at the time. There was general feeling amongst Afro Carribbean people that the Met got a well deserved kicking.

This of course would never get anywhere with a Council sanctioned competition.

I bring this up as imo sense of community isn't about just touchy feely "Peace". The phrases that Resolve Collective use. Sense of community is also built on violence and conflict. I'm saying this as someone who entered adult life with election of Margaret Thatcher and the eighties.

It's just artwank bullshit by nicely educated types.

Style and Pattan, as a phrase captures the vibrations of Brixton and its diverse community. It is visible and expressed through language, fashion, art, activism, food, music – all key aspects central at the core of the community all moving to the same rhythm. Our approach and design is fueling by these core aspects as we aim to utilizes the dichotomy of bold, monochromatic typeface against bright, animated polychromatic patterning, in order to convey a memorable written message whilst evoking the visual themes of Brixton’s iconic heritage through geometric motifs.

The cross-hatch pattern was inspired by our awareness of the structural and decorative themes that accentuate Brixton’s built environment. From tiling and joinery found in 19th and 20th century buildings in the area to the facade of the historic Atlantic Bakeries on Atlantic Road. Simultaneously, it pays clear homage to African, Caribbean and South American vexillology through bold geometric pattern and a colour pallette reflective of the surrounding community.

As an approach to exploring text, ‘Come In Love/Stay In Peace’ constitute the provisional text for this project. It is a play on the common saying ‘Come in Peace’, coalescing the action of coming and going in Brixton, by playfully interpreting both sides and directions of movement as the ultimate act of approach. Undertones of ‘love’, ‘neighborliness’, ‘homecoming’ and ‘peace’ act as a potent reminder of Brixton as more than an area, but a community

 

[DietCokeGirl]

It will be covered in multicoloured tags in a week anyway.

 

[alcopop]

It's just artwank bullshit by nicely educated types.

What does “nicely educated” mean?

 

[eyeroll]

What does “nicely educated” mean?

Seriously? How dare someone complete an architecture degree?

The lead designer behind this bridge is an artist and architect called Farouk Agoro who collaborated with Akil from the Resolve Collective. Maybe, for a change, you could show some love for the young black creatives from Brixton who have been given the opportunity to paint a huge love letter to their area? Yes they had to collaborate with the shitshow that is Lambeth Council but at the end of the day they're flying their colours proudly - red, gold and green. For the soundsystems, for the reggae vendors, for the Rastas, for the Reparations March that walks under it every year, for the culture that is so painfully being whitewashed every day in Brixton.

 

[alcopop]

Seriously? How dare someone complete an architecture degree?

The lead designer behind this bridge is an artist and architect called Farouk Agoro who collaborated with Akil from the Resolve Collective. Maybe, for a change, you could show some love for the young black creatives from Brixton who have been given the opportunity to paint a huge love letter to their area? Yes they had to collaborate with the shitshow that is Lambeth Council but at the end of the day they're flying their colours proudly - red, gold and green. For the soundsystems, for the reggae vendors, for the Rastas, for the Reparations March that walks under it every year, for the culture that is so painfully being whitewashed every day in Brixton.

I couldn’t agree more

 

[Pickman's model]

Seriously? How dare someone complete an architecture degree?

The lead designer behind this bridge is an artist and architect called Farouk Agoro who collaborated with Akil from the Resolve Collective. Maybe, for a change, you could show some love for the young black creatives from Brixton who have been given the opportunity to paint a huge love letter to their area? Yes they had to collaborate with the shitshow that is Lambeth Council but at the end of the day they're flying their colours proudly - red, gold and green. For the soundsystems, for the reggae vendors, for the Rastas, for the Reparations March that walks under it every year, for the culture that is so painfully being whitewashed every day in Brixton.

it'd better be sturdy, and not drop on the reparations demonstration

 

[editor]

What does “nicely educated” mean?

Someone with a nice degree. Most of the people on my estate don't have one, although I would have preferred to have them involved in creating something on that bridge.

 

[editor]

Seriously? How dare someone complete an architecture degree?

The lead designer behind this bridge is an artist and architect called Farouk Agoro who collaborated with Akil from the Resolve Collective. Maybe, for a change, you could show some love for the young black creatives from Brixton who have been given the opportunity to paint a huge love letter to their area? Yes they had to collaborate with the shitshow that is Lambeth Council but at the end of the day they're flying their colours proudly - red, gold and green. For the soundsystems, for the reggae vendors, for the Rastas, for the Reparations March that walks under it every year, for the culture that is so painfully being whitewashed every day in Brixton.

Would you be one of the aforementioned architects?

If so, please explain how that outpouring of guff about "playfully interpreting both sides and directions of movement as the ultimate act of approach. Undertones of ‘love’, ‘neighborliness’, ‘homecoming’ and ‘peace’ act as a potent reminder of Brixton as more than an area, but a community" relates to the everyday struggles of people of all colours living in one of the most deprived areas of London?

PS If you are the architect, don't take this personally. If you put up loud public art, you can can't complain if locals voice loud opinions about it! It's their town too and they;re just as proud of it. Maybe even more so.

 

[editor]

Pics from Weds night

Brixton jam session at the Queens Head – in photos

 

[alcopop]

Someone with a nice degree. Most of the people on my estate don't have one, although I would have preferred to have them involved in creating something on that bridge.

What’s a “nice” degree

 

[editor]

What’s a “nice” degree

Around my estate: any degree.

 

[Pickman's model]

What’s a “nice” degree

2.2 will do

 

[editor]

2.2 will do

Here's a question more interesting than anything alcopop will ever ask: Why are 2:2s called Desmonds?

 

[Pickman's model]

Here's a question more interesting than anything alcopop will ever ask: Why are 2:2s called Desmonds?

 

[editor]

View attachment 149488

Surely

 

[fishfinger]

Surely

That's a 4 by tutu.

 

[eyeroll]

Would you be one of the aforementioned architects?

If so, please explain how that outpouring of guff about "playfully interpreting both sides and directions of movement as the ultimate act of approach. Undertones of ‘love’, ‘neighborliness’, ‘homecoming’ and ‘peace’ act as a potent reminder of Brixton as more than an area, but a community" relates to the everyday struggles of people of all colours living in one of the most deprived areas of London?

PS If you are the architect, don't take this personally. If you put up loud public art, you can can't complain if locals voice loud opinions about it! It's their town too and they;re just as proud of it. Maybe even more so.

Haha no I'm not! I do know Farouk very well though. He's very aware of the loud opinions of his fellow locals - I've been calming his anxieties this whole week while the final lettering went up! It's all good, I'm just defensive on his behalf

I don't know Akil or the Resolve Collective though so I can't speak for the guff they have on their website but sometimes guff is what it takes to get through commissions & competitions unfortunately.

 

[editor]

Haha no I'm not! I do know Farouk very well though. He's very aware of the loud opinions of his fellow locals - I've been calming his anxieties this whole week while the final lettering went up! It's all good, I'm just defensive on his behalf

I don't know Akil or the Resolve Collective though so I can't speak for the guff they have on their website but sometimes guff is what it takes to get through commissions & competitions unfortunately.

I just wish that there had been more community involvement in this design - less architects and more locals. It's a bold and loud design, so it's going to get bold and loud criticism. I don't like it myself. It just seems like another forced 'icon' to help turn Brixton into a Camden-style tourist trap.

 

[eyeroll]

I just wish that there had been more community involvement in this design - less architects and more locals. It's a bold and loud design, so it's going to get bold and loud criticism. I don't like it myself. It just seems like another forced 'icon' to help turn Brixton into a Camden-style tourist trap.

I get that. Lambeth did make it a competition open to the public but didn't publicise it well at all so I'm just glad some actual locals did find out about it and win it in the end. Yeah he's a qualified architect but I feel like you may be imagining it as some lucrative profession and not the constant slog to get properly paid for a skill that most people think they can do cause they watched an episode of Grand Designs.

Possibly (definitely... haha) biased but I thought their design was the best from all the rest that were shortlisted. I don't see how it would have ever avoided being a 'forced' icon regardless of who designed it - new public art on that bridge will always attract new attention.

Obviously not everyone is going to like it, that's cool. That's the nature of public art.

 

[editor]

I get that. Lambeth did make it a competition open to the public but didn't publicise it well at all so I'm just glad some actual locals did find out about it and win it in the end. Yeah he's a qualified architect but I feel like you may be imagining it as some lucrative profession and not the constant slog to get properly paid for a skill that most people think they can do cause they watched an episode of Grand Designs.

Possibly (definitely... haha) biased but I thought their design was the best from all the rest that were shortlisted. I don't see how it would have ever avoided being a 'forced' icon regardless of who designed it - new public art on that bridge will always attract new attention.

Obviously not everyone is going to like it, that's cool. That's the nature of public art.

I'd suggest that the greater majority of locals had no idea the competition was going on, which is a shame given that the bridge is supposed to represent the area in some regard.

 

[eyeroll]

I just wish that there had been more community involvement in this design - less architects and more locals. It's a bold and loud design, so it's going to get bold and loud criticism. I don't like it myself. It just seems like another forced 'icon' to help turn Brixton into a Camden-style tourist trap.

I guess they could've used the slogan: "CLAPHAM’S THAT WAY YOU 2D FLAT WHITE TEPID COLONIALIST YUPPY WANKER" but that was already taken.

 

[eyeroll]

I'd suggest that the greater majority of locals had no idea the competition was going on, which is a shame given that the bridge is supposed to represent the area in some regard.

Agreed.

 

[editor]

I guess they could've used the slogan: "CLAPHAM’S THAT WAY YOU 2D FLAT WHITE TEPID COLONIALIST YUPPY WANKER" but that was already taken.

Now that's a sign I could have REALLY got behind.

 

[organicpanda]

Now that's a sign I could have REALLY got behind.

say's the person who renamed Brixton, East Clapham

 

[editor]

Just spotted what looked very much like a beardy Thom Yorke walking down Coldharbour Lane.

#celebwatch