AnExcava tionofMe mory&Im agination Christian Bell
In 2019 I undertook a research project exploring the cultural heritage of a derelict green space across from Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery, commonly known as Museum Square. At the time, the space was being scoped out for possibilities of development as a communal green space. The building and sharing of spaces for gathering and socialising is embedded in our histories. The relationship between our people and our places is impacted by the mark our histories make upon our contemporary lives. With an eye on how our spaces can be utilised for cultural and social use, I ask if first we must fully understand our spaces social and cultural happenings of the past and what that can tell us about the present and a potential future.
My research into the cultural heritage of Museum Square uncovered memories of a subterranean youth prog-rock nightclub in 1970’s-80’s Blackburn called Peepers. Memories which weave together to tell a story of a sub-community-led nightclub; an outlet and escape for young people in 1970’s-80’s Blackburn. A space to bang heads to rock music, drink pop and burn joss sticks. Peepers was a self-organised community who co-created a sub-cultural atmosphere of heavy sound, psychedelic murals, UV lighting, smells of patchouli and an over-crowding of denim clad teenagers. Over 40 years on, and this community still exists through the use of a meaningful online social space. It is through this online space that I conducted my exploration of a physical space; not excavating material truths or artefactual evidence, but the un-picking and re-imagining of a collective memory. An excavation of memory re-imagined and collaboratively re-propositioned in a new space.
Black bricks, walls dripping in condensation. Headbanging to Temples of Syrinx.
Stood at the top of a wooden staircase, freezing my arse off in winter.
Wish you were here.
Having to not wear a white bra‌ the UV lights made them glow through your top.
40 years on and still rockin’. Remembering Gini, who was the reason I met my hubby.
Remember me.
My first pint at the Royal on a pass out.
Hair sticking to the walls.
Wooden staircase. Death trap.
Blame it on the boogie.
Heavy on the chest, bright on the eyes, cold on the knees.
With Special thanks to Julia Simpson Alex Zawadzki Jo Duxbury and family Daniel Davidson Lee Smillie Susan Brazendale Prism Contemporary marketing team.
Christian Bell www.christianbellartist.co.uk