Accrington Web

Some of you will be aware that I have been viewing this website for the past few weeks. I have shied clear of coming on in person because I did not want to antagonise some of you anymore. However, it would appear that I have become the public face of the Panopticon project within Hyndburn whether I like it or not and therefore, I am getting the majority of the flak for it. I can’t help but take this personally because some of you have made it personal.

So, I’m here and I’m willing to answer any question about the Panopticon project. I will answer any question as truthfully as I have the knowledge to do so, if I don’t know the answer I will tell you that I don’t know the answer. I will not answer any postings that I consider to be abusive or irrelevant. I am a resident of Hyndburn and thus entitled to have an opinion on this subject. I must stress that any opinions that I express are mine and mine alone, they are not necessarily the views of any other member of any organisation which I am involved with. As I am also closely related to this project I am in a unique position.

I understand that art is very subjective and it is everyone’s prerogative to like or dislike any individual pieces of art – there are some artworks that I don’t like but that doesn’t mean they are bad. There are two issues at stake here 1) the rationale behind the project in the first place and 2) the aesthetics of the design. Let’s not get these confused because they are two very, very separate things. It is possible to appreciate the rationale behind the project without liking the design – if that’s the case then let’s work together to get a design that the majority would be happy with. If you don’t understand or know the rationale behind the project I will happily answer any questions for you.

I will return on Monday evening to post answers. If you send me a private message I will reply by private message. If you post your question within the thread I will answer within the thread. I do not want to inflame the situation any more than it already is I simply want to open a discussion that will ensure that you have all the facts. I also want to put some people straight on some things that have been said about me.

So first of all let me get a few things off my chest and bust a few myths that have been posted about me personally over the last few weeks;

1. I do not hold any power whatsoever, I am a press officer. That means that I have to make sure that the media hear about anything that is happening.

2. I will not receive any bonus when the Panopticon is built. Salaries paid in the Arts are very low, compared to industry.

3. Slightly off track but whilst I’m busting myths, the Vagina Monologues did not cost anyone to put on. I was given the rights free by the author, everyone in it gave their time free of charge, I paid £30 to hire James St Club and posters cost £42. We made £420 in ticket sales and after deducting the £72 that I had spent I gave the rest to The Women’s Centre on Abbey St.

4. Finally, and again off subject a little – Mid Pennine Arts would never advocate graffiti. We spend a lot of our time on education programmes and out of school activities to keep the kids off the street.

I hope you take my presence here as a good thing, and treat it in the manner in which it is intended, as an open and honest attempt to talk. As a resident of Hyndburn I too want the best for our town.

I look forward to reading your postings and joining you again on Monday evening.