Mapping NaSA
In 2006 Hull City Council and the Gateway Pathfinder published a renewal assessment for the Newington and St Andrews (NaSA) neighbourhood in West Hull. This assessment noted rapid, serious decline in the NaSA area and a priority for regeneration. In March 2008 ARC, the architecture centre for Hull and the Humber region, commissioned three artists to engage with the area and create their personal representations of the area, a process defined as ‘psycho-geography’ or 'the study of how a place feels’.
Theresa Smith of Mooch worked alongside artists Jennie Savage and Chris Dobrowolski as each artist created their own interpretation of this process. In revealing the character of NaSA, Theresa identified 12 questions that had specific connections with this region. These were printed onto 3000 drinks mats and distributed around 15 different venues; primary schools, cafes, pubs and community centres.
The process was designed to enable people to respond in a spontateous and un-policed way. This method attempted to reach those not previously captured in consultation processes and presented a broad selection of issues that could connect to all age groups.
Many hundreds of responses were collated and exhibited at the Carnegie Library, Hull in June 2008. Each group of mats was exhibited according to the participating venue and on a stylised map of NaSA that indicated the location. In curating this work, a broad representation of the views offered was maintained, some of these views were challenging, some were wonderfully creative, others just downright funny. Humour and wit were alongside bitterness and anger and an outlet was offered for all views.
Theresa selected 12 responses from the many returned and printed these as snapshot of the spirit of place, returning a set of these keepsakes to the participating venues and the people who made the work possible.
Many thanks to all the NaSA venues who contributed their time and enthusiasm.
