Community Consultation
A large component of the endeavours of the practice lies in understanding the immediate context around where we live and work.
Albert Drive – A Tramway Theatre Project
In 2011 to 2013 We worked as one of a number of Artist teams on the Albert Drive Project in Pollokshields Glasgow. The job involved designing making and operating a mobile engagement tool called the Tea caddy. A small house on wheels distilled down from the domestic Architecture of the neighbourhood was made out of tempered aluminium by show folks we trusted to work the material well.
With an Acrylic cover it was ceremoniously rolled in and out of Tramway Theatre to enable protected conversations about what was actually happening in Glasgow’s most multi ethnic and diverse community. For the first time this mobile device and process enabled us to properly – Meet thy neighbours.
The Tea Caddy is still performing dialogue functions.
First gallery - Albert Drive
Mark Makers – A Pollokshields Trust Project
After that Andrew took on a Role as Community Engagement Manager for – The Pollokshields Trust and completed 2 Rounds of Scottish Government Funded – Aspiring Communities work. Through 2 cycles of the seasons we consulted and reported on what mattered to this diverse community commonly in poverty. Energy costs, access to green space, pollution, child safety and food security.
Through volunteering, collection of free materials and careful negotiations with authorities and owners we created a Community garden + kitchen that sustained the community during the Pandemic. We also took the local primary school off grid via Board membership of Glasgow Community Energy to ensure that excess energy generation funds local causes via the Feed in Tariff.
We are now a bit more knowledgeable about the Energy Crisis and how to end it.
The Final Mark Makers report to Scottish Government can be found here – ….
Its a large file, but gives a snapshot of Pollokshields in 2019 to 2021
Second gallery - Mark Makers
