This afternoon Alex showed a group of us around the old school building that’s going to be used as the ‘Garston Embassy’ as part of the Biennial’s Peoples’ Pavilions Project. We were joined by local MP Maria Eagle, as well as potential investors from South Liverpool housing association, and other locals who are involved.
The building is currently property of the council, and the discussion was about how to use the temporary ‘art installation’ as a springboard for future development, with a plan to secure the building as a permanent community venue, for the Garston Cultural Village. The finances were discussed, and a proper business plan is in the pipeline. There was a feeling that at last things are ‘starting to happen’. The discussions were particularly useful in informing my own brief development.
Alex explained his thoughts for the programme of the building, with spaces for start-up businesses, studios for artists, a gallery space, and even a potential performance space in an old science lecture theatre.
It was also good to see Michael Trainor’s model of his proposed ‘Garston Embassy’ Pavilion installation for the Biennial. Complete with palm trees, oil derricks, oil fountain, weapons of mass attraction, lawned gardens, visiting dignitaries in limousines, balcony statues of notable Garstonians [a pirate, a bear, and Les Dennis, among others], and lots of flags. More about it here.
Today there has also been a rumour on the streets of Liverpool that the SuperLambBanana might be moved to Manchester. It’s not actually owned by Liverpool, and the lease has expired. Alex told me he’d had the press phoning him all day for quotes. He dismissed the possibility, and couldn’t understand why anyone else would want another city’s icon.
On that note, here’s what happened to my replica souvenir figure in the studio yesterday… Who was responsible for this???????
Proof of the genius of Studio Six, surely.
