Projects

The artist Verity-Jane Keefe (VJK) has been commissioned by Towner Eastbourne to carry out a public art commission in Langney and Shinewater. Current plans for this, subject to change, are a series of artworks in different outdoor locations in the area. The artworks will be developed via a programme of public engagement to ensure the community is part of the design development. Much of the engagement work will take place in a shop unit within Langney Shopping Centre – the central point geographically and socially within the area.

Working intergenerationally, groups such as the Langney Men’s Shed, Eastbourne Archaeological Society, Shinewater Court, local schools and people using the shopping centre will be invited to the unit to participate in workshops and help generate the content.

Using the bronze age history of the area as a starting point, we will jump off into an exploration of the idea of history as NOW, modern archaeology and the public realm. Through thinking about fragments and ruins, we will consider which ‘age’ we are we living in now, what ‘public’ art is and how do we make it via participatory processes.

We will work through how public art can be made relevant people living in the area, as well as be influential contemporary artworks.

We will carry out two archaeological digs across the area as a way to generate material to work with over the course of the commission. Questioning value, of what is given formal significance versus process and social significance. A bottle, a broken brick etc – all rubbish until interpreted. All materials found will form the basis of further engagement work to be carried out over the next 6 months.

Dig #1 10.00am to 4.00pm, Wednesday 25 to Thursday 26 October
Langney Lake (entrance to park via Sandpiper Walk)

Dig #2 10.00am to 4.00pm, Wednesday 1 and Saturday 4 November
Outside Shinewater Sports Centre, off Milfoil Drive