All I can say , is "Go and look at this abomination":
http://www.medwayculturalstrategy.co.uk/
Having done that, have a think abut why I felt it was my civic duty to write the following:
"This may well enthuse career artists and other opportunists, but I am sickened. You cite the towns' heritage in your executive summary (who is that aimed at? It's written in 'Otherspeak'!), while some of the most beautiful things in Medway have either been torn down (the Theatre Royal), are falling down (Sun Pier) or about to be demolished (Aveling and Porter). The genuine, independent creative community in Medway (i.e. those who are not awarding themselves and each other grants and awards on taxpayers' money) are simply trying to galvanise themselves to stop Medway Council from destroying the towns, when we should be diving for pearls".
Comment or ignore. I'll be screaming at the sheer face of dumbed down bullshit. You know where to find me.
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So what exactly is a Cultural Strategy and do we need one? If so, is this the right one? It's pretty impossible to decide that as this is one of the most appalling documents i've ever seen (apart from all the others) with it's horrendous management consultant jargon. It just beggars belief that people can write in this way in what is supposed to be a public communication. "Cultural Offer" indeed. If it was written in plain English at least we may stand a fighting chance of "engaging" in a meaningful way.
ReplyDeleteInevitably it is entirely free from all the art, music, exhibitions that Medway Eyes regulars, and indeed anyone I know, would be familiar with - the "genuine, independent creative community".
Can we get the message across? Can we infuence this thing? I'd like to think that this can be reshaped and rethought with the aid of helpful, constructive comments, but is it even worth it? Are we the only people who will ever read this tosh? Ignore may be the best option.
Corporate nonsense. Sadly there are all too many willing to take the kings shilling in order to further careers and line pockets. The video you link to is a good example of this in action. It is a sterile portrayal of what *they* think will make them look good. There is no integrity in what they are doing. Their efforts have as much substance as the kings new clothes.
ReplyDeleteTwo kings in one comment; that's a first for me!
The bit that catches the eye and sticks in the throat is 'work with partners to maximise the business and commercial value of heritage sites and collections.'If it's the revenue derived from heritage that drives its preservation, rather than anything warmer, less tangible or more complex than potential tourist income, then any site that can't pay its way is probably going to get bulldozed as a favour to developers. I can't help but feel that all that will eventually be left is a Disneyfied Dickens/docks/castle version of local history if this kind of grasping, creatively bereft thinking is driving things.
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