CafeCraylands
The social side of Craylands.
Provided by The People Speak.
THE PEOPLE SPEAK - Statement
The People Speak is an art collective that develops fun and engaging ways to get people talking, imagining and creating public art and public space together.
Their ongoing projects include ‘Talkaoke’, a mobile public talk-show, ‘Who Wants to Be’ – a spontaneous democratic game-show, and ‘One Night Grandstand’ – a have-a-go sports commentary road-show. Using these projects as starting points, they continue to develop new projects with the communities they meet.
Mikey Weinkove (pictured) and Saul Albert are co-founders of The People Speak with Ricardo Sleiman, Wojciech Kosma, Hektor Kowalski, Zsolti Balogh and Asia Bas.
Mikey is an artist and chat show host. He is the inventor of Talkaoke and has toured the world hosting it in a huge variety of contexts, from high-profile cultural institutions such as the Tate Modern, London and the Edinburgh Festival to regular residencies in cafes and bars. He has been touring with Talkaoke since 1997 and is an expert chairperson for any debate. He knows how to get a conversation going in a compelling but non confrontational manner.
Saul Albert is an artist and technologist from London whose work developed
from the intersection of ‘net art, DIY culture and the Free Software
movement in the 90’s and continues to develop forms of participatory
culture, technology and governance.
More information can be found at www.theps.net.
BACKGROUND
The Fryerns and Craylands Estate areas in Basildon are historically separated by physical and emotional boundaries. The schemes’ aim is to develop a Multi Neighbourhood Centre within the central area between the estates containing shops, new houses, adult education building, heath centre, play spaces, green links, news roads and thus allow the community to enliven the cross over points and improve their well being and environment.
The People Speak have been commissioned to inform proposals to create a cohesive, enjoyable and visually stimulating environment, providing creative opportunities for people to become involved in shaping their environments. This will begin to inform the Basildon Regeneration Programme.
CREATIVE PROCESSES
So far, The People Speak have been participating in events in Fryerns and Craylands run by various organisations and groups, such as Family Fun Days and an International Day. They are pleased to be able to get to know people and develop ideas together. By doing this they have had many conversations with the people from the estates, spending time meeting people and getting to know the community.
The People Speak are always inspired by the people they meet. When they came for their interview on the estate they were shown around by the Friends of Craylands community group and said that they were really welcoming and inspiring to meet. At this point they knew that they could contribute something to Fryerns and Craylands estates.
QUOTE
“We’ve just been given the use of an old laundry room by Swan Housing, which we’re converting into a studio. Our plan is to be there on a weekly basis – turning ideas we’ve heard from people into visualisations and videos of the potential future of Craylands.” Saul Albert, The People Speak
