The Newspaper House
During March 2008, an innovative cultural arts project based in Hackney was developed utilising thousands of unwanted newspapers. Hackney arts organisation Creative City approached Hackney’s Culture team with the idea of collecting discarded papers and turning them into a public art installation – the Newspaper House. The Projects aim was to help encourage people to think about their actions and how these have an impact on the environment and the city.
Local Hackney Sculptor and installation artist Sumer Erek created the installation, which was one of Hackney’s significant public artworks of 2008. The artwork was installed on Gillett Square in Dalston, Hackney. The public contributed in building the installation by taking old newspapers found on their travels and from their homes to the Square during 3-9 March 2008 which added to the structure. Over 85,000 broadsheets were utilised to complete the structure. Participants from the local community were invited to submit their own news and add them to the house. The project attracted a wide range of people and press coverage internationally
Workshops and drop-in sessions took place in collaboration with Hackney-based cultural organisations and schools. Partner organisations include Creative City Ltd, Hackney Council, the Learning Trust, and Gillett Squared.
The project was funded by Hackney Council’s Culture Team, The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and UnLtd. Arts Council England funded the research and development phase of the project.
Hackney Council's Culture Team played a key role in getting Newspaper House the off the ground. Cllr Nargis Khan, Cabinet Member for Community Services said: "Hackney is the home of a dynamic and prolific visual arts sector and we are proud to support its continued development. Hackney's Culture Team were delighted to be a partner in the Newspaper House. This innovative project was the first temporary art installation in the public realm in Gillett Square. It's strong environmental message will engage Hackney's communities in the 'reduce-reuse-recycle' debate."
Andrew Barnett, Director of the Gulbenkian Foundation said: "I am confident the project will be a big hit with the public and hope it will be then able to tour the UK, involving the public and making a contribution to environmental awareness in a truly adventurous way. We all need to do our bit for the environment and this gives us an opportunity to do so in a way that's close to home."
The Journey Continues
The Newspaper House continued its journey from Hackney to Liverpool, to help celebrate Liverpool’s award as the Cultural Capital of Europe 2008, during the 5th Liverpool Biennial of contemporary arts.
For more information visit the Newspaper House Blogspot
Page updated: 5 May 2009