tables

Exploring the interdependence/independence relationship of towns like Nowa Huta, Sheffield, and Garston, Super Window Table is an example of four identical components that work interdependently, to form an independent ‘reciprocal frame’ structure. Each component supports, and is supported by each other. Like the ‘housing’ and the ‘industry’, the components are useless on their own, but stable when together. If one component is taken away, the structure falls apart.

The OSB sheet timber is the same material that boards up windows in Garston and Kelham Island. It’s re-appropriation as a table is anticipative of both the town’s physical regeneration, and social regeneration – bringing people together.

The table demonstrates interdependence both in structure and construction, as it requires the teamwork of two or more people to assemble the four components. It is impossible to assemble independently.

The interior perspective anticipates a cafe or bar setting, possibly in Garston, possibly in Kelham Island. As the area develops, the boarding from the windows is taken off and made into tables. The Super Window Table encourages interaction between users by requiring the user to work interdependently with others, in order to assemble the table before sitting down. The room demonstrates the Super Window Table’s variant stages; some stacked waiting to be assembled, some being assembled, some assembled, and some fallen down.

take it to the streets

Using the table as a tool for developing my project, the “Super Window Table” was taken to the streets. It went to meet the “Super Lamb Banana” in the city centre, as well as gracing the mean streets of Garston Village. It was a kind of guerilla “public art” installation. I was hoping the “street furniture” might provoke a bit of banter with the residents, but unfortunately they were completely oblivious to this “provisional construction” on their streets. Maybe they’re so used to public art, they’re unphased by it now. Or maybe they just don’t care. It was also a freezing cold day, so hardly anyone was about. Watch this space for the film footage.

making and breaking

Some footage from when the SuperWindowTable was ‘taken to the streets’. This is just a tester/teaser/provisional edit. [Proper edit in the pipeline.]

Luckily my good mates from undergrad Mike and Mark were able to help out, as Mark was up from London for the weekend. Mark used to be a bit of a regular on the b-boy [breakdancing or 'breaking'] scene, and while we were filming he randomly broke out a few moves [even though he was very limited by his heavy boots]. It reminded us of a project we’ve talked of doing for years, called “making and breaking” – a fusion of breakdancing and architecture, documented on film. So considering it’s ‘making’ themes, the table was pretty appropriate.

take it to the people

As a further development of the project, the SuperWindowTable made it’s debut in the Wellington Pub in Garston. The ‘provisional construction’ brought together some important themes in my project [art, tables, pubs, community engagement, beermats]. It was the feature at an “Anything – Special Edition” night organised by Mike Carney. Mike had done some posters and publicity for the event, and the pub was a lot busier than last Friday.

Again it was a varied clientele of young scallies in tracksuits and hoodies, alongside older locals, a few of Mike’s studenty mates, and a few of my mates. The table pretty much served it’s purpose of provoking conversation and banter between different people. It was a constant focus of interest and raised a lot of questions. The scallies were especially curious and questioning, although they were very reluctant to get involved or appear on camera. Others were less camera-shy, and the table was disassembled and assembled by some non-locals and locals working together, which in itself generated interest amongst others [watch this space for the film].

The response to the table was equally varied. Different people had different interpretations of the table. Some read it as a design prototype, and asked how many I was making, and how much they cost. Some read it as a tactile domestic table, and made suggestions about the materials; how the rough surface should be made smooth at the edges. Some read it as a garden table, and suggested the timber should be sealed and waterproofed.

Interestingly many read the table as a piece of “art” even though it wasn’t actively presented as art. This was probably due to the association with the “Artistic Republic of Garston” project, and the fact that famous Garston artist Alex Corina was sitting with us. Or maybe it was because it was unusual.

As a result, many of the locals were naturally sceptical of the table as “art”, and raised some interesting questions about the role of art, and public perception. “So what makes this table art?” asked one local man, as I sat at the table with Alex and two of my mates. He proceeded to tear up a beermat into a random shape and ask “Isn’t that art?”

No doubt if I was in his position, I’d be equally questioning of a strange table in my local pub. In trying to explain the ideas behind the table, I emphasised the main themes of optimism, and collaboration; “It’s four bits, the four bits are useless on their own, but useful when they work together”.

Some understood it better than others. As Alex said, we were now in a normal setting, with everyday people, far removed from an academic environment. And as such, any explanation or discussion of the table had to be phrased differently than it would in an art school. That’s not to say it should be dumbed down, but like many things, just presented appropriately to suit it’s audience.

For all the academic meanings and layers and symbolism in a piece like SuperWindowTable, they’re arguably irrelevant when initially read by the man on the street. Like the Winter Lights project, what reaches the man on the street is arguably no more than a quick novelty factor – some flashing lights. Perhaps the great thing about art is it’s ability to be interpreted differently by different people. Is the table art? Is it just a table? Does it even matter? Perhaps the very fact that it was provoking these discussions, is what’s really important.

Things Are Getting Better – [The Peoples' Assembly] (DV, 1½ mins, 2008)
Demonstrating the Super Window Table – a symbol of hope, optimism and collaboration in Garston. Taking the boards down from the windows and making them into tables. Taking the table to the streets. Taking the table to the people.