sign in sign up
<<
Home , Bexley, Erith Marshes, Lesnes Abbey, Lesnes Abbey Woods, London Borough of Bexley, Oxleas Wood

Woods Artist brief for new commission

Introduction

About Estuary 2021 | background information Estuary 2021 themes Peasants Revolt of 1381: connecting artists across two Estuary 2021 sites Aims of the Co-commission Co-commission themes

Co-commissioning criteria Site visits and supporting artist engagement with the site Artwork development, creation and installation Consultation & engagement | Remote creative exchange lab

Communities, audiences and demographics Marketing

Schedule

Informal site visits for artists

Budget

Responding to this Commission

Appendix Estuary | background information Brief history of Lesnes Abbey Woods

Co-commission partners | Thank you to our partners Creative Estuary Metal of

1 Introduction Arts organisation Metal are working in partnership with the to co-commission a new permanent artwork for Lesnes Abbey Woods to be launched as part of Estuary 2021 ​in Spring 2021.

View across Lesnes Abbey Woods (May 2020)

About E​ stuary 2021 Estuary 2021​ will be a month-long, curated festival of visual art, literature, performance, film & discussion. It will be the second edition of the large-scale festival that celebrates the spectacular Thames Estuary. Taking place on the river itself, and along the 83 miles of South and North coastline, it is an ambitious programme of new and existing artworks and events that explore and respond to powerful themes resonant to the Estuary, presented across places of landmark, historic or community interest. Estuary 2021 is a partnership between M​ etal​ (South Essex) and C​ ement Fields​ (North Kent). For more information about Estuary see ​Appendix.​

Photograph of the Estuary taken in 2019 by Jonathan Juniper

2 About Lesnes Abbey Woods The site of Lesnes Abbey Woods was originally uninhabited marshland once collectively referred to as Marshes and Marshes. Augustinian monks from Lesnes Abbey were the first people known to have reclaimed and drained land in the 12th century to provide land for the cultivation of crops and rearing of domestic animals. The originally came right up to Lesnes Abbey and it is said that the monks used to fish from the walls.

Lesnes Abbey Woods Left: viewing area with Corten steel windows designed by Heather Burrells. Right: wooden sculpture of Black Canon with sceptur designed by Heather Burrells.

Lesnes Abbey Woods | background information Located near Erith, on the border of Bexley and , Lesnes Abbey Woods is managed by the London Borough of Bexley. The area is a Local Nature Reserve and includes the ruins of Lesnes Abbey, 88 hectares of ancient woodland, an ornamental garden, and a geological Site of Special Scientific Interest for early Tertiary fossils. It is on the Green Chain Walk, there is a cafe and a small exhibition of the Abbey and facilities for visitors. See B​ rief History of Lesnes Abbey​ for more information.

Lesnes Abbey Woods: Abbey ruins (May 2020)

3 Ancient woodland: ​Regionally important woodland designated for its nature conservation value renowned for its display of spring flowers, including daffodils, bluebells and wood anemone.

Lesnes Abbey Woods: ancient woodland and found wood carving (May 2020)

Fossil bed: T​ he fossil bed found at Lesnes Abbey contains many types of fossils from the Eocene era about 54.5 million years ago. The main fossils found today are sharks' teeth and seashells. The fossil bed may be visited at any time by individuals and by groups in advance by arrangement.

Lesnes Abbey Woods: left: Coryphodon Sculpture, right: Fossil Pit (May 2020)

Arboretum and Gardens: ​There is a well-established arboretum containing tree species from across the globe and a newly completed Monk’s Garden (pictured below). There is a large externally propped mulberry tree (Morus nigra) at the northern side of the Abbey.

4

Estuary 2021​ themes The work for ​Estuary 2021 ​ will be commissioned and curated in response to the Estuary and its myriad of histories, landscapes, seascapes, stories, myths and realities, but with two clear contemporary ‘prisms’ through which to view lines of enquiry running throughout. The first being the Climate Crisis. As the evidence of climate change continues to grow and the effects are being felt, ever closer to home, this is undeniably the most urgent issue of our times. The second Data - there is a huge amount of data held on the Thames Estuary. Some of it is already collected and analysed by agencies and corporate companies who work on and alongside the river, and has been for many years – but much of it is perhaps not shared or understood widely. Working with the Institute of Analytics and Data Science (IADS); the Thames Estuary Partnership (TEP), based at University College London (UCL) and other partners, academics, technologists and scientists will work together with artists to interpret, visualise and communicate this data to a much wider audience. Other data (for example looking at the language of fear, love, or protest) in relation to the emotional life of the river and those who travel, work and live on or by it, is no less intriguing.

View from Hadleigh Park (just across the Estuary) showing views towards

5 Peasants Revolt of 1381: connecting artists across two E​ stuary 2021 ​sites The artist/arts collective appointed for the Lesnes Abbey co-commission will be working alongside ​Estuary 2021​ commissioned artists developing new participatory responses for Wat Tyler Country Park in Basildon. This will allow the cohort of artists working across the two sites to share responses to common themes related to the Peasants Revolt of 1381 which originated at Fobbing in Essex (next to Wat Tyler Country Park) with another crucial event taking place at Lesnes Abbey in Kent.

Reeve and Serfs from Queen Mary's Psalter (1310-1320)

Aims of the Co-commission Metal and London Borough of Bexley are seeking an artist or artist collective to create an imaginative response to this brief, in particular we are looking for a response that: ● Can be installed within the grounds of Lesnes Abbey Woods and Park. ● Adds the visitor offer at Lesnes Abbey. ● Appeals to a diverse local audience - both people that already visit the site and also attracting new visitors, and higher frequency of visits at all times of the year. ● We are open to ideas from artists, in response to the brief, ideas could include: ○ A physical sculpture ○ Taking the form of a trail or new way of navigating the 88 hectare site. ○ A digital work that is GPS located and connected to the site ○ other? ● We would welcome ideas for local community engagement both in the development of the work and/or the realisation and launch. For more information see the communities and demographics ​ section. ● Is attuned to any ongoing requirements for social distancing in public space.

6 Co-commission themes The history and context of both sites is set out in this document, with themes relevant to both these sites including: ● Rebellion and revolt: formats for protest ● Gathering places (taverns & their contemporary equivalents) ● The time of rumour: cultural changes related to communication and language shifts (rapid adoption of English language/digital & social platforms/alternative systems for understanding) ● Post pandemic (Black Death/Covid) ● Estuary ‘territories’, land ownership and alternative ways of living ● The feudal system and its contemporary manifestations ● Pilgrimage & transit: mobile populations (e.g. ‘bread and cheese’ test for foreigners) ● Defensive Estuary structures, both futile and beneficial

Due to the sensitive nature of the site in relation to its archaeology and ecology, final siting of any works will need to be agreed with the Estate Manager.

Co-commissioning criteria We are seeking to appoint an artist or artists collective with: ● an established track record of works sited in the public realm ● a practice that is strongly participatory and socially engaged ● a track record of producing work that engages and involves local communities, removing barriers to participation in the arts

We actively support applications from artists/collectives from diverse backgrounds and protected groups.

In addition to providing a compelling response to the brief set out in this document, the artist/s are also required to participate in remote lab sessions taking place over five weeks (see schedule for dates and times).

Site visits and supporting artist engagement with the site Lesnes Abbey is currently open to the public, so artists (who are able to) can visit prior to submitting their proposal, ensuring that social distancing guidelines are observed. A series of informal site visits are available for artists who would like to visit the site with Estuary and Lesnes Abbey Woods representatives available for any questions.

If this is not possible, artists are invited to explore the site via Google Earth which allows detailed 3D and 2D remote interactions. Metal and London Borough of Bexley will work with the appointed artist/collective to arrange site visits and provide materials (films, videos, photos etc) in line with social distancing guidelines.

Artwork development, creation and installation A project plan with milestones will be devised for the commission in consultation and agreement with the London Borough of Bexley, Metal and any relevant partners. All agreed terms will be incorporated into the artist's contract at the point of acceptance of proposal.

7

Consultation & engagement | Remote creative exchange lab There will be a series of short labs (one-and-a-half hour maximum) taking place over a five-week period (see schedule). This will be combined with an online space to exchange notes and ideas with the cohort of artists and Estuary team.

Communities, audiences and demographics Lesnes Abbey Woods is situated to the north-west of the London Borough of Bexley (LBB) and borders with the Royal Borough of Greenwich (RBG). It is a short distance south of the River Thames, Abbey Road (B213) runs along the northern side of the park, Road along the south, and Knee Hill along the west. There are main entrances on all sides. The park is surrounded by some of the most disadvantaged communities in the borough and . Lower Belvedere, East and Lesnes Abbey are in the top 20% indices of multiple deprivation (IMD, 2010).

To the north-east of Lesnes Abbey Woods is the Belvedere Employment Area, which traditionally employed high levels of skilled manufacturing workers. The manufacturing and industrial uses have been replaced by a mix of uses, led by logistics, warehousing, construction and food businesses, which offer significantly fewer and lower skilled jobs.

Lesnes Abbey currently attracts around 130,000 Audiences per annum, made up of a mix of local people, with a high proportion of dog walkers and has continued to attract high numbers of visitors throughout the Covid-19 lockdown.

Marketing The Lesnes Abbey co-commission will be promoted via E​ stuary 2021 ​communications and marketing activities to attract attention and new audiences. Metal's marketing and PR plan will engage UK cultural tourists, arts audiences, national and international arts sectors which will include: ● National PR campaign ● Multi-platform social media campaigns ● Digital assets shared locally to attract specific audiences ● Estuary 2021 ​brochure and printed materials ● Press releases to local press ● Newsletters to Metal and Estuary mailing list ● Promotion via established networks of local and national cultural partners

8

Schedule Wednesday 1 July 2020 Open call launched Thursday 23 July 2020 10am-3pm Informal site visits for artists - 1* Thursday 6 August 2020 10am-3pm Informal site visits for artists - 2* Thursday 27 August 2020 10am-3pm Informal site visits for artists - 3* Friday 11 September 2020 Deadline for artists to apply Tuesday 29 September 2020 Short online interviews with shortlisted artists Wednesday 30 September 2020 Artist/collective appointed Thursday 1 October 2020 Remote online labs (5 labs, 2pm each Thu, 1-1.5 hours) Thursday 29 October 2020 Last remote online lab for artists Wednesday 3 February 2021 Artwork text/image deadline for brochure website & press Wednesday 6 January 2021 Permissions/production/build/installation begins May/June 2021 Estuary 2021 festival June 2021 post-Estuary 2021 evaluation & reporting begins

Informal site visits for artists Three sessions are open for interested artists to visit and walk the site with Estuary 2021 and Lesnes representatives. To register your interest in attending one of these events please email ​[email protected]​ stating the date you would like to attend.

Budget This commission has associated the following fees, co-funded by Metal and London Borough of Bexley

Stage 1: £1000 initial artist fee to work up a proposal Stage 2: £3000 balancing artist fee payments (£2000 on acceptance of proposal, £1000 on delivery of work) Stage 3: £8000 production budget to realise the work, subject to acceptance of proposal

The production budget is inclusive of all expenses and must therefore cover fees, travel, materials and project-related expenses - including planning permission and any other licences (if required) for the resulting artwork/s.

Payments will be made in instalments - as follows:-

Stage One: £1000. Payable on selection and signing the contract to develop the proposal. Stage Two: £3000. ​(£2000 payable on acceptance of the Stage One proposal by the partners. £1000 payable on delivery of the final work.) Production: £8000 - a schedule for the release of this budget will be agreed on acceptance of the proposal at the end of Stage One.

All costs are exclusive of VAT

All payments will be upon receipt of invoice, and subject to progress against achieving agreed activity as outlined above. If this is a joint commission one artist/company will need to be the project lead and all payments will be made to them.

9

Please note: the selected artists will be responsible for their own tax and NI contributions

Responding to this Commission To apply for this commission complete the online application form Deadline for applications is Friday 25 June.

Appendix

Estuary ​| background information Estuary 2021 is the second edition of the large-scale arts festival that celebrates the spectacular Thames Estuary. Taking place on the river itself, and along the 83 miles of South Essex and North Kent coastline, contemporary artworks and events explore and respond to powerful themes resonant to the estuary.

Installations, exhibitions, events and an accompanying film and talks programme respond to Estuary industrial heartland, nationally important heritage sites, protected wildlife, acres of open marshland, together with seaside fronts and port towns. Artworks will be set in the landscape, or on the river itself and artist-led walks and field trips explore the rich, diverse culture of the region bringing new audiences to significant sites to foster a deeper understanding of the estuary.

Estuary 2021​ is an ambitious, highly visible and transformational programme of work, linked to an innovative skills programme delivered through a wide range of arts and agency partnerships across the region.

Estuary 2021​ is possible through Creative Estuary, an ambitious long-term project to develop the Thames Estuary into the world’s largest creative corridor; a world leader for the creative and cultural industries. Estuary 2021 is led by a partnership between estuary-based arts organisations, Metal (South Essex) and Cement Fields (North Kent).

Full programme to be announced Autumn 2020.

A broad constituency of partners across the Thames Estuary, have come together to support the ​Estuary f​ estival on a four year cycle, linked by a commitment to shared cultural development aims looking towards 2050, that are underpinned by the concept of the Thames Estuary Production Corridor (TEPC). The TEPC will create a world-class industrial hub for the creative and cultural industries, creating jobs and developing new talent to benefit the Estuary region, London and the wider South East.

The Estuary landscape looms large in the daily emotional and practical life of South Essex and North Kent, with the ebb and flow of the tides impacting on the rhythm of life, leisure and work. One of the world’s most iconic and ‘hardest working’ rivers, often referred to as the liquid highway, its waters bind and connect the communities along its banks. Across the estuary, we share the sensibilities, the challenges, as well as the opportunities that living close to such a force brings. The work for 2021 will be commissioned and curated in

10 response to the estuary and its myriad of histories, landscapes, seascapes, stories, myths and realities.

Estuary 2021​ will build on the success of E​ stuary 2016​, which achieved the following headline statistics: ● 16 days of art, literature, music and film ● 7 key venues ● 55 events ● 265 artists ● 32 schools / 1157 school pupils ● 101,179 live audiences ● 23.7 million reached through press and media estuaryfestival.com instagram.com/estuaryfestival​ | f​ acebook.com/estuaryfestival​ | t​ witter.com/estuaryfestival

Brief history of Lesnes Abbey Woods After the Norman Conquest of 1066, the area of Lesnes passed into the possession of Bishop Odo and is mentioned in the Domesday Survey as Loisnes in the Hundred of Litlelai.

Lesnes Abbey was founded by Richard de Luci, Chief Justiciar of , in 1178. It is speculated, this may have been in penance for the murder of , in which he was involved. In 1179, de Luci resigned his office and retired to the Abbey, where he died three months later.

It never became a large community, and was one of the first monasteries to be closed after the Dissolution of the Monasteries. After changing hands several times the abbey was effectively lost and the area became farmland. It has been restored to show some of the walls and the entire outline of the abbey is visible giving a good idea of the size and atmosphere of the original place.

The site was excavated by Woolwich & District Antiquarian Society in 1909-1910.Some archaeological finds from the Abbey's site are displayed in Greenwich Heritage Centre, others are further east in the museum in Erith Library. The "Missale de Lesnes" is in the library of the Victoria & Albert Museum in Exhibition Road, London.

The former purchased the site of the ruins in 1930, which were opened to the public as a park in 1931. Since 1986, the site has been the property of the London Borough of Bexley. A branch of the Green Chain Walk passes the ruins on its way from to Thamesmead riverside.

11 Co-commission partners | Thank you to our partners

Co-commissioned by London Borough of Bexley and Metal Southend for ​Estuary 2021 ​ with funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and The National Lottery Community Fund for Parks for People projects in England.

Creative Estuary Estuary 2021​ is possible through Creative Estuary, the DCMS-funded Cultural Development Fund, an ambitious long-term project to make the Thames Estuary the world's largest creative corridor; a world leader for the creative and cultural industries.

Metal Metal was founded by Jude Kelly CBE in 2002 working with current Artistic Director and CEO, Colette Bailey since its inception. It is an artistic laboratory that champions the need for continual investment in artistic investigation and the development of innovative ideas that could shift the thinking in the UK cultural sector. We provide innovative, multi-disciplinary residency space for artists from the UK and overseas in Liverpool, Southend on Sea and Peterborough.

Alongside providing space for artists and thinkers to develop their ideas and further the philosophy of their work, we are interested in how this artistic process, and the practice of artists can input into, and potentially influence social, economic and political issues of the day. We work with artists, educators, communities, individuals, businesses and agencies across all sectors to create a wide range of activities and projects that include residencies, exhibitions, commissions, events, performance, discussion and publications. Through our artistic programme we draw out evidence and ideas for a better understanding of the artist’s role in civic life, and ensure that these are shared with a wide and diverse set of partners.

Conversation and debate across disciplines and cultures is central to the philosophy of Metal. Food has played a large part in the way that we like to bring people together to talk. A central feature of each of our buildings is a large oven – in Liverpool we have an AGA, and in Southend a Lohberger wood burning stove.

Artists and thinkers are invited to share food, knowledge, experience, ideas and to meet each other in a ‘neutral’ and domestic space in the belief that this supports, strengthens and extends the UK cultural network artist-to-artist. Dinners are a regular feature of our

12 programme, planned around ideas, themes and notions that have their starting point in an artist’s work. www.metalculture.com

London Borough of Bexley

In 2014 Bexley Council was awarded Parks for People funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NHLF) to develop Lesnes Abbey Woods. The grant enabled the site to be significantly developed including: - ● Building a new Lesnes Abbey Lodge that hosts conferences, school workshops, leisure activities and meetings ● A catering kiosk concession for park users ● Improved park facilities including landscaping, wayfinding and gardens ● An activity programme to attract more and varied visitors

Realised with funding from:

Co-commissioned by:

London Borough of Bexley Metal Bexley Civic Offices Chalkwell Hall 2 Chalkwell Avenue Southend on Sea SS9 3HX Kent DA6 7AT [email protected] [email protected] 01702 470700 0203 045 4580 https://www.facebook.com/MetalSouthend/ facebook.com/pg/lesnesabbey/events/ @metalsouthend www,bexley.gov.uk www.metalculture.com

13

14