Is there life in Peckham?

From the great words of Alexie Sayle's 'Ullo John got a new motor!', "Is there life in Peckham?"

Well every summer since it’s inception in 2007, it has been home to Bold Tendencies – an incredible outdoor sculpture exhibition featuring large-scale pieces of work from new up and coming artists. Taking place at the Peckham multi-storey car park, which is frankly, just a car park. But, Bold Tendencies transforms the concrete wasteland of Peckham’s car park into an exciting and new place for public use and it's all thanks to Hannah Barry, who has single-handedly introduced Peckham as a prominent area to check out what's newest in the art scene. Alongside the exhibition space, the car park is also host to a bar/restaurant, Frank's, which boasts Campari cocktails and alfresco dining.
This time round, Bold Tendencies will feature the likes of geometrically inclined Eva Berendes, and Jess Flood-Paddock whose Gangsta’s Paradises series of giant shellfish went down a storm at the Hayward Gallery Project Space. Opening night for the show is on June 30th and is sure to be awesome. Drinks sponsored by Beck's, rooftop views of London, crazy impressive artworks...
Frank’s Café's unique build is thanks to the guys at Practice Architecture, who have contributed two new sculptures to this years show. They are known for their clever salvaging, and one of Practice Architecture’s formative projects turned a derelict petrol station in Clerkenwell into a handmade pop up cinema. Relying on the help of volunteers, the guys are testament to the power of replacing innovative ideas with weighty budgets.
Bold Tendencies do non-profit work that aims to showcase work by international artists. If you fancy becoming a ‘Peckham Patron’ and supporting the project click here. See you at the show.

Road for thought.

La ville molle (part III) from Raum Raum on Vimeo.

La Ville Molle: Benjamin Boré

Take 3 1/2 minutes and have a look this video by architect Benjamin Boré brought to us by one of our favourite art and design blogs, This is Colossal. The project originated through Benjamin’s desire to “question the harshness of the city.” So, using a giant water-filled pocket, he created the above liquid brick installation, ‘La Ville Molle’.
The project is in collaboration with Raum à La Box in France and its title literally translates to ‘City Soft’. It’s part of an exciting trend of architects becoming more and more conscious of the relationship between individuals and their environments, and realising ways in which to explore and apply it in their practice. As much as we’re conscious to protect our natural environment, the drive to develop our urban environment tends to be just as strong.
The Institute for Architecture and Urban Studies in New York recognises ‘the critical impact of the built form, how it is experienced, mediated, remembered and imagined on the quality of our daily lives.’ The initiative was originally established in 1967 and since then they’ve became a place to debate and experiment with the wild theories of progressive architects.
Although perhaps in part a tongue in cheek gimmick today, these people are changing the cities around us with projects such as this and we're excited by the prospect to see how this relationship will mould a new face for our collective cityscapes tomorrow.