IDEA13

The Chalkwell Hall has been officially opened last Thursday by the Pulp’s Jarvis Cocker.

This four storey, Grade II listed Georgian building has been refurbished by Metal, an art organisation based in Southend and Liverpool, and will function as a space for art, events and conversation. With two bedrooms on the first floor, it will also offer live-in residencies to international artists.

At the moment there are four artists in residence – Harwood, Wright and Yokokoji and Tris Vonna Michell – and several art installations on show – Amy McKenny’s installation using found objects from the Chalkwell Hall, Keith Watts’ 360 degree panorama drawing of the crowds at the last Village Green, Simon Poulter’s geography of the Thames gateway and a 10-minute long video of the history of the Chalkwell Hall by author Rachel Lichtenstein.

Metal believes that the art discussion and the artist practices can influence political and social issues of the day and that the Chalkwell Hall will provide the catalyst for the number of activities locally, regionally and nationally.

The aim was to create a low carbon space, so Chalkwell Hall has a number of eco features, including two wind turbines and glass solar panels on the roof. It is entirely heated by renewable energy sources.

Images (c) Benedict Johnson

Metal’s website