As some of you may have noticed from a few of my previous blog posts and tweets;
Over the last 2 years I have taken a job as a Night Watchman at the ex- Pilkington Glass HQ in St Helens Merseyside. This was for a number of reasons.
- As you all know LBM is a combination of commercial work and commissions and personal passion projects.
- Because the Arts do not always pay the bills I was given the unique opportunity to gain access to a rare, private grade listed complex and undergo a personal passion project whilst also obtaining a monthly wage.
- This passion project is a photography and video documentary titled "Shouldn't Throw Stones - The View of a Night Watchman"
- The documentary consists of capturing the stories of current and ex workers from what was a British industrial glass empire and it's fall from grace. I have photographed and interviewed workers, collected artefacts and mementos left on the site and document the rituals and routines of a night worker.
- The complex is partly empty and partly in use as a rental business park to charities, groups and small businesses. The 32 acre site has several inter connecting Modernist/Brutalist buildings, tunnels, lakes , conferences rooms, glass sculptural/artworks and decor ranging from the 1960's-present day.
- I have collaborated with a number of creative practitioners from different disciplines to produce a body of work that aims to produce an exhibition and book publication.
- The project is due to be completed in May this year. I am waiting for confirmation of funding from Arts institutions and sponsors to deliver the project.
- LBM will be releasing all news and updates linked to the project, funding, exhibition, the collaborations, book publication and launch dates throughout the next few months.