Made in Hayes News from the School of Art, Architecture and Design

Made in Hayes project enjoys High Street launch

Date: 16 January 2013

Staff and students from Fine Art and Photography, including Patrick Brill (aka well known artist Bob and Roberta Smith) presented work inspired by the EMI factory site at a pop up event, enlivening Hayes High Street on a chilly Monday lunchtime

The group brought records and photos of the factory to adorn the town-centre Bandstand, played records - from Edith Piaf to The Clash via The Beatles, handed out fliers, and asked passers-by to tell them about their first vinyl records. MP John McDonnell (Labour, Hayes and Harlington) brought along his first record to play Please Please Me by The Beatles

The event heralds the beginning of Made in Hayes, a series of public art, architecture and design projects initiated by The Cass students that will take place in Hayes over the coming years. All projects will consider what great things have been, are being and will be made in Hayes, and generate ideas about how the town can continue to flourish.

The projects co-ordinated by Cass Projects at the School of Art, Architecture and Design are a response to a request made by John McDonnell MP: “to explore the potential for launching over the next few years a series of public arts projects in Hayes that could create a focal point for community activity.”

Projects will include: architecture students testing ‘Conversation Kits’ for community gardening at the Austin Estate, Silversmithing and Jewellery students making gifts for Hillingdon Play Association Ambassadors, and artists, architects and designers contributing to stalls on the canal side at Station Road bridge in March. The next event will be MA Fine Art student’s ‘Record Player Orchestra’ in February – watch this space for details.