The period between 1999 - 2004 spans the years of my involvement with the overlapping networks of various outside art communities in London. In particular, the 491 Gallery based in Leytonstone, East London. I lived in the 491 Gallery art community as a p-art-cipant-observer for a three year period as field research for my P.hD in Counter Culture. It is my intention to recount the experience of the 491 Gallery as a microcosm of Society. Through this unique example I shall explore and delineate the wider social structures and mores that exist in Society between the ideational relationship between notions of art, creativity, and conformity. Through this microcosmic case-study I shall attempt to share with you themost extraordinary personal,artistic,and creative journey of discovery into the comlex heart of contemporary social issues, current debates on Communities,and ultimately the very nature of the social dynamic between concepts of individualism and macro mechanisms of State social control.
Preliminary Notes:
I was lucky enough to have observed, or been part of almost every aspect of the project from its initial formation and development involving two single people to a thriving arts community acting as an "organic catalyst" for the entire borough of Waltham Forest consisting of 250,000 residents. What initially began as a small underground and illegal art squat, has eventually become "almost legitimized," and is still the only community based arts organisation serving the creative needs of the entire Leytonstone area and beyond.
During this period the local council reneged on its promise to provide a formal arts venue to the borough; and even as I write their is a current people campaign to try and prevent the closure of the William Morris Gallery & Museum.
I shall be using this experience to illustrate the creative and social difficulties, contradictions, and ultimately the possibilities of Communities that are given the freedom to explore, share, and develop their collective creativity for the wider social benefit.
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