I have begun to photograph and film the inner workings, remains and archives of the old Pilkingtons Glass HQ (currently Alexandra Business Park) in St Helens.
The site is a vast complex filled with historical rooms, objects and varied artefacts of by gone eras. The site is also a working office space (in parts) for NHS, Game Designers, local businesses and charities who reside in the ‘Shell’ of the listed/dated brutalist architecture and 1960’s, 70’s, 80’s to present day décor.
It is my intention to publish a book and create an installation for exhibition that relates to the historical/current impact and legacy of the Pilkington ‘Empire’. I also will investigate what contributed to its fall from grace, discover what remains there are and how the site will fare in the future.
I would like to photograph and interview any ex members of staff/workers and record their stories and hopefully create a form of digital archive of people’s history with the site. It is also my intention to collaborate with other creatives, musicians, writers and artists to create a body of work which contributes to the final publication and exhibition.
If you are an ex worker or local resident who has a history or connection to Pilkingtons I would like to hear from you.
Please contact me at;
Kevin Casey
e-mail info@lensbasedmedia.org
twitter @info_lbm