The Master Plan
Weston-super-Mare (UK), published 2012.
Co-published by Book Works and Situations, edited by Claire Doherty, and designed by Polimekanos (ISBN: 9-781906-01-238-0).
The Master Plan is an artist’s book, authored by Stephen Hodge, as a complementary project to the ‘Wonders of Weston’ public art programme commissioned by Situations and Field Art Projects for Weston-super-Mare. The programme formed part of Sea Change, a national initiative to support the revitalisation of British seaside towns in 2010. Wrights & Sites were one of the six artists commissioned. This book takes as its inspiration the collective’s reconnaissance material gathered whilst researching their permanent commission ‘Everything you need to build a town is here’. The unpublished transcript of a public meeting for the post-war redevelopment of the town acts as a catalyst for a visual exploration of redevelopment and regeneration from the ‘fantastic acropolis’ of Portmeirion to SimCity master-builders. Stephen annotates the transcript of this 1947 meeting with historical and contemporary newspaper cuttings, found material and photographs, concluding with a conversation which explores the context of regeneration as an inspiration and hindrance for contemporary artists. The book was launched at the Whitechapel Gallery as part of London Art Book Fair, with a public presentation and discussion between Stephen and Claire Doherty.
Images: Stephen Hodge, Polimekanos, Harold Baim Film Productions, North Somerset Council, FLACQ Architects.