Fleet: Art in the Haven Ports

Artists: Cedric Christie, Sarah Dobai, Dan Dubowitz, Tod Hanson, Mary Lemley,
Julian Meredith, Ariane Michel, Fearghus
Ó Conchúir, Fabien Rigobert, Gavin Turk, Elizabeth Wright
Locations: Essex and Suffolk

Fleet: Art in the Haven Ports was a major programme of temporary commissions and residencies by artists in historic locations in the East of England. It included specially commissioned bicycles by artist Gavin Turk and residences by artists Sarah Dobai, Mary Lemley and Fabien Rigobert for Shotley Museum and Jaywick Martello Tower. A series of art installations for Landguard Fort, by artists Elizabeth Wright, Cedric Christie and Tod Hanson, film screenings at the Electric Palace Cinema in Harwich, and an exhibition curated by Gavin Turk from the FRAC (Nord pas de Calais) collection at the Town Hall Galleries in Ipswich took place during the summer of 2010.

The final element of Fleet, a new 12 screen installation and commission at the Jaywick Martello Tower by photographer Dan Dubowitz and choreographer Fearghus Ó’Conchúir will continue until August 2011.

Fleet was developed to support and enhance tourism and place-making, to contribute to community cohesion and economic growth. Through visiting Fleet tourists and local people were encouraged to participate in and experience a high quality art programme, using bike, boat, train, bus and walking routes. It offered a series of unique experiences and encounters, highlighting these intriguing destinations.

Fleet was funded by Arts Council England through Grants for the Arts, Essex County Council and the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. Partners included firstsite, HMS Ganges Association; Ipswich Borough Council, Ipswich Town Hall Galleries, Jaywick Martello Tower, Landguard Fort Trust, Suffolk County Council, Suffolk Coastal District Council, Sustrans, Tendring District Council and University Campus Suffolk.

Fleet was part of Face2Face, an art programme taking place in Nord-Pas de Calais (France) and Kent, Essex and Suffolk (UK). Partners included Espace Croisé, Roubaix; Saison Vidéo, Roubaix; artconnexion, Lille; Commissions East, Ely; and Turner Contemporary, Margate.

Face2Face is supported by the EU through the European Regional Development Fund and ‘Interreg IVa 2 Seas Programme.’ It aims to promote cross-channel cultural cooperation through exchange, audience development and outreach activities.