Frieze Projects East has opened a series of new public art projects commissioned by the London 2012 Festival and CREATE. The series comprises six site-specific artists’ works specially commissioned for the Olympic Host Boroughs in East London: Barking and Dagenham, Greenwich, Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest. Curated by Sarah McCrory, the works will each engage local residents and visitors in different ways from a sculpture that is also a playground to a strip cartoon in local free newspapers. The projects also vary in scale from large spectacles to more intimate works. While the group of artists is international, each has a personal connection to East London.
The artists who are taking part in Frieze Projects East are: Can Altay, Sarnath Banerjee, Anthea Hamilton and Nick Byrne, Ruth Ewan, Gary Webb and Klaus Weber. The series has been programmed by Frieze Foundation curator Sarah McCrory.
Can Altay (b. 1975) is a Turkish artist based in Istanbul. Can Altay’s intervention will consist of an everyday object installed in public buildings across Walthamstow including Forest YMCA, the Town Hall Waltham Forest College and the William Morris Gallery. Culminating in a residency in Walthamstow in August, this project will explore the relationship between public art and public service.
Sarnath Banerjee (b.1972) is an Indian artist based in New Delhi and Berlin. Appearing on billboards, posters and local newspapers across the six Olympic boroughs, Sarnath Banrejee’s work will depict a graphic narrative around the shared history of competitive sport. The work taps into a collective consciousness of sporting near misses or partial successes, looking at the stories of the people who almost made it.
Anthea Hamilton (b.1978) and Nicholas Byrne (b.1979) are British artists based in London. Anthea Hamilton and Nicholas Byrne’s collaboration will fill the interior spaces of an iconic building. A mixed media installation consisting of large inflatable structures, the work draws inspiration from the building’s spectacular art deco interior, as well as referencing popular culture and advertising.
Gary Webb (b.1973) is a British artist based in London. Webb’s commission will see the construction of a permanent and interactive public sculpture that will be installed in a popular community park. Built from steamed wood, polished aluminium and cast resin, the work combines brightly coloured and large-scale public sculpture with elements of modular playground equipment.
Ruth Ewan (b.1980) is a British artist based in London.Ruth Ewan will collaborate with up to 250 young people and creative practitioners from across East London to create Liberties of the Savoy, a one-off event, documentary and publication centred on the Savoy Hotel in London’s West End. Working within a number of schools and youth settings in East London, the project will give the young people an opportunity to develop practical skills. Ruth Ewan is the 2012 winner of CREATE Art Award.
Sarnath Bannerjee: 25th June 30 July . Can Altay:16th July – 19 August. Anthea Hamilton and Nicholas Byrne: 1 July – 12 August.
The series is produced by Frieze Foundation and commissioned by CREATE and the London 2012 Festival. – Review to follow.
Klaus Weber, Fountain Photo: Polly Braden courtesy of Frieze