SPACE M8-1, Glasgow (United Kingdom) 2016
Space M8-1 activated derelict spaces under the M8 motorway in the city of Glasgow, Scotland. The project encouraged local people to question the image of the underpass and its perception. The starting point for this was the use of the image of the construction site as a notion for change and transformation.
Construction sites represent the future of the city. They act as a visual reference to the prosperity of the city, its future identity and the promise of future investments. On the other hand, derelict, desolate empty spaces are useless, negative representations of the city waiting to be activated by future investment and construction.
Space M8-1 approach was to move this image of development and construction to the sites that were forgotten and excluded from the city map in order to use the space as a discourse with the public and to question what kind of potentials and experiences can these unused spaces host. The project is also questioning if construction can be the only way to activate the derelict city spaces.
Art students from the Glasgow School of Art were offered a space under the M8 motorway which they used to display their artwork.
Client: Local residents, the City of Glasgow
Lead Student: Mohammed Abualrob
Participating Students: Fredrik Frendin, Rosa Klerkx, Asad Khan, Julian Tolhurst, Maria Louiza Biri
Research Question: The occurrence of construction sites in the city are a symptom of new investment and new potentials. Without objection these site claim space in the city and represent a form of private investment and private activity. However, what might happen if they could be a space for another form of activity, that of the artist, dancer, filmmaker?
United Kingdom, Architecture, Days, Initiated by institution, 0-10, Sponsorship, Temporary, +, Graduates, Curricular, Research-initiated, Students with researcher, Glasgow School of Art
