Part 1: 2009
Affordable live / work space in the East End of London. It's a siren call few artists can resist, even if said space is located in a high-rise tower block in deepest Poplar, far from the creative hubs of Shoreditch, Hackney or Dalston.
Thanks to a
pioneering scheme started in 2009 by
Bow Arts Trust and
Poplar Harca, the vacant flats of
Balfron Tower and
Carradale House were let to local artists and creative practitioners, on the condition that they made a sustained contribution to the communities of the estate.
When artists
Anna Sexton and
Anna Bauer moved in, they saw an opportunity for a project that would make a big difference to residents' lives. Brown by name and grey by nature, the Brownfield Estate had seen its green spaces neglected and its play areas torn up.
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| Paddling pool and slide, former playground, Balfron Tower |
The brutalist playground at the base of Balfron Tower - an integral part of Goldfinger's initial design, featuring play towers, a slide, a sandpit and a paddling pool - was emptied and left to crumble, unloved save for the odd graffitied tag.
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| The former nursery school and its garden |
The nursery school and its garden were closed down. The residents' tennis court was locked and left to the weeds.
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| Delapidated tennis court |
The two Annas, working with members of the Balfron and Carradale Residents' Committee, decided to see if the old tennis court could be reclaimed and reused as a vegetable growing space for the local community.
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| Face-painting at 'How Does Your Garden Grow', 1st August 2009 |
In the summer of 2009 they threw a party, called '
How Does Your Garden Grow', to help plan the revitalisation of the tennis court.
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| Leaves from the wishing tree, 'How Does Your Garden Grow?', 1st August 2009 |
The artists canvassed residents' opinions and laid tentative plans. The metamorphosis was about to begin...
(this post is part of metamorphosis monday - check back for part two next week)
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