WHAT'S NEXT?
Research and testing
Smeeing was given the opportunity by Camden Collective to use a vacant retail unit on Camden High Street for one week in March 2015. With What’s Next? Smeeing tried to create a social space that was inviting to the general public and curated a series of events and activities, related to the future of the high street. Smeeing used this opportunity to engage with the public in the actual public context, whilst asking people to give feedback on his research and to feed into his project. Smeeing also tested parts of his the Future of the High Street project.
Year : 2015
Commissioned by : Camden Collective
Exhibition by : Hyperstore
Dressed as shop fitter, Smeeing used part of his time in the space to map out different shop typologies, based on 1:1 measurements of existing spaces. The act of taping attracted attention and created curiosity and interest amongst the passers-by and was a starting point for a conversation. When there were no movie screenings or events within the space, Smeeing projected images of the original spaces over the tapelines.
WHAT WILL REPLACE THE SOCIAL GLUE THAT THE HIGH STREETS HAVE PROVIDED?
As a result of global economic downturn, out of town and online shopping, and rising rents in London, the face of the high street is changing. Across England the rate of shop vacancies stood at 13.3 per cent at the end of 2014 [1]. These vacancies create a downward spiral for the local retail sectors as shop closures reduce footfall. Both sides of the political spectrum recognise this change as important due to its social and economical value, however, too often financial gain is placed above social value.
Where the GLA (Greater London Authority) is promoting culture as important to the high street, as it ‘could increase house prices by up to 30 per cent’ [2], communities are losing control of their own high street. There is an opportunity to challenge this situation by re-imagining the potential uses of these vacant spaces on the local high street. What can replace the social glue that high streets have provided for communities in the past?
